Bond 2021

Tomball ISD Voters Approve $494.46 Million Bond

Tomball ISD voters approved two separate propositions for a total of $494.46 million in a bond referendum known as Bond 2021 on Tuesday, November 2, 2021. The official vote was 4,959 for Proposition A with 3,706 against, and 4,955 for Proposition B with 3,670 against. The two propositions of Bond 2021 that did pass will address adding new campuses and facilities, renovations at existing campuses and facilities, additional or replacement technology devices, improved district technology infrastructure, improved cybersecurity, improvements to facility security, and the purchase of additional school buses.

During their regular meeting on August 12, 2021, the Tomball ISD Board of Trustees unanimously called for a bond election to be held on November 2, 2021. The election comes following the recommendation from a community-based Facility Study Steering Committee (FSSC) that met in April and May.

Community voters will have an opportunity to vote on a $567,560,000 bond proposal during the November election.

Through five ballot propositions (A-E), the bond:

adds facilities to address enrollment growth
addresses transportation upgrades
repairs aging facilities
replaces outdated technology

The bond includes projects that impact ALL students and DOES NOT affect the total tax rate.

NOVEMBER 2021 BOND ELECTION This bond will be presented to voters in five separate propositions. Learn more about what's included in the proposed bond package; how the bond proposal was developed; and how TISD's rapid growth allows the district to fund capital projects without an increase to the district's total tax rate.
The bond proposal will be presented to voters in five separate propositions on the ballot.

Bond 2021 Details

Background

The bond proposal was developed by the Facility Study Steering Committee (FSSC) which was formed to study the rapid growth and facility needs in the district and to make a recommendation to the board of trustees. The 24-member committee was comprised of parents, community members, business partners; and TISD educators. The FSSC was tasked with keeping within a framework of eight charges, including; considering the educational needs of all students, facility needs based on growth, support for all programs – co-curricular and extracurricular, balancing educational goals against taxpayer resources, while keeping community values in mind.

The committee analyzed current enrollment, school capacities, and demographic projections; studied the state’s school funding process and district financial data; toured campuses, evaluated future facility needs, and prioritized projects. Following months of review, discussion and consideration, the committee presented its recommendations to the TISD Board on August 9.

Based on the recommendations from the FSSC, the TISD Board of Trustees voted to call for a $567.56 million bond election that will go before voters on November 2, 2021. The bond proposal is made up of five propositions in order to comply with a new law that requires certain projects to be listed separately on the ballot.

Clicking on any meeting listed below will display the presentations and minutes recorded at each meeting.

Meeting #1 • April 7, 2021

Meeting #2 • April 14, 2021

Meeting #3 • April 21, 2021

Meeting #4 • April 28, 2021

Meeting #5 • May 5, 2021

District Growth

If approved by voters, this bond proposal will not result in an increase in the total tax rate.

Over the last decade, new home sales in Tomball have increased significantly, making TISD a fast-growth district. In 2020, over 1,300 new home sales closed. Based on the most recent demographic report, enrollment is projected to steadily increase at an average annual rate of about 6.5%. In less than 10 years, the district is projected to exceed 24,500 students.

Most Recent Demographics Report

Fast-Growth

Tomball ISD is one of 81 districts across the state identified as a fast-growth school district. The Fast Growth School Coalition is a collective voice that educates and advocates for investment in the state’s fastest-growing school districts to deliver the high-quality education Texas students and taxpayers deserve.

What is a Fast-Growth School District?

To be identified as a fast-growth school district, the following criteria must be met:

Enrollment of at least 2,500 students during the previous school year; and
Enrollment growth over the last five years of at least 10%; or
A net increase of 3,500 or more students.

School Year	2010-2011	2015-2016	2020-21
Student Enrollment	10,669	14,120	18,640 (Sept. 2020)
Percentage Increase		32.3%	32.0%

FAQs

General Questions

What is a bond?

Just as homeowners borrow money in the form of a mortgage to finance the purchase of a home, a school district borrows money in the form of bonds to finance construction, renovation, and other capital projects. Both are repaid over time, but in order for a school district to sell bonds, it must go to the voters for approval.

How can bond funds be used?

Bond funds can be used to pay for new buildings, additions, and renovations to existing buildings, land acquisition, technology, buses, and equipment, among other items. By law, bond funds may not be used to fund daily operating expenses, such as salaries or utilities, which are paid for out of the district’s Maintenance & Operation (M&O) budget.

Why do you need a bond election?

School districts are required by law to ask voters for permission to sell bonds to investors in order to pay for capital expenditures for projects like building a new school or making renovations to existing facilities. Districts take out a loan and then pay that loan back over an extended period of time, much like a family takes out a mortgage loan for their house.

Why are there multiple propositions on this ballot?

The district is complying with a new state law that requires certain projects, like technology devices and athletic upgrades, to be separated into different propositions.

Questions About Taxes

How will the 2021 bond election affect my taxes?

If approved, taxpayers in Tomball ISD will not see a total tax rate increase as a result of this bond.

Why does the ballot language say this is a tax increase?

In 2019, the Texas Legislature passes a law requiring the ballots for all school bond elections to include a sentence that states "THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE." The sentence is required even if no actual tax rate increase will occur.

Tomball ISD taxpayers would not see an increase in the total tax rate if voters approve all bond propositions on the November 2, 2021 ballot. Together, the proposals total $567.56 million. No increase in the total tax rate is necessary to pay off the bonds associated with these propositions.

How can Tomball ISD afford to issue bonds without a tax rate increase?

Taxpayers would not see a total tax rate increase from the bonds. A few combined factors have put TISD in this position, including continued growth and development, the paying down of debt, and low interest rates.

Why is there no other way to fund these projects?

Planning for the district’s current and future needs is one of the fundamental duties of school boards and district administrators. As such, there is a constant evaluation of facilities and other needs in light of the changing district population, the age of district-owned structures, changes in technology, and changes in instruction. When the district determines that it has needs beyond the capacity of the maintenance and operations budget, the Board may issue a bond. The Texas Education Agency in the Financial Integrity Ratings System of Texas (Schools FIRST Rating) sets the guideline for school districts to have three months of operating expenditures in fund balance. Maintaining the required fund balance as well as the operational needs of the district (with limited state funding) may restrict districts from building adequate savings to fund facilities and infrastructure needs to accommodate growth in the student population.

What if I'm 65 years old or older and receive the "senior citizen exemption" and my home values go up?

For residents 65-years and older, their school district tax bill will not increase, even if their property values increase (excluding property improvements) as long as an approved Homestead and Over-65 Exemption application is on file with the Harris/Montgomery County Appraisal District, and the property has been owned as of Jan. 1 of the tax year.

Questions About Voting

Who is eligible to vote in this election?

Anyone who is a registered voter and lives within the Tomball ISD boundaries is eligible to vote in this election.

What if I'm new to the community and not yet registered to vote?

Voter registration applications are available in most government buildings. Learn more about registration on the Voting tab.

How do I know if I am registered?

To see if you are registered to vote, Harris County search or Montgomery County search.

Where can I vote?

Polling locations will be announced soon and will be posted on the Voting tab.

Propositions

Five separate Tomball ISD propositions will be included on the November 2, 2021, ballot as Proposition A, B, C, D, and E. The five propositions together cost a total of $567,560,000.

PROPOSITION A - $466,640,000

Proposition A - Sample Ballot Language - THE ISSUANCE OF $466,640,000 SCHOOL BUILDING BONDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, ACQUISITION, REHABILITATION, RENOVATION, EXPANSION, IMPROVEMENT AND EQUIPMENT OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS IN THE DISTRICT, THE PURCHASE OF THE NECESSARY SITES FOR SCHOOL BUILDINGS, THE PURCHASE OF NEW SCHOOL BUSES AND THE RETROFITTING OF SCHOOL BUSES WITH EMERGENCY, SAFETY AND SECURITY EQUIPMENT, AND LEVYING AND IMPOSITION OF TAXES SUFFICIENT TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON THE BONDS AND THE COSTS OF ANY CREDIT AGREEMENTS. THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE. REQUIRED STATEMENT FOR ALL SCHOOL DISTRICT BOND PROPOSITIONS PURSUANT TO SECTION 45.003, TEXAS EDUCATION CODE.

New Schools and Facilities, Infrastructure, Renovations, Transportation, Technology, and Security Updates

Juergen Rd. - Site Development
Juergen Rd. - Water Treatment Plant
Juergen Rd. - Elementary School #12
Juergen Rd. - Intermediate School #4
Juergen Rd. - Comprehensive High School #3
Eastside Complex (formerly BJ Services HQ) - Site Development
Eastside Complex - FFA Show Barn
Eastside Complex - CTE Program
Eastside Complex - Transportation Center Relocate
Eastside Complex - Tomball Star Academy Relocate
Eastside Complex - Elementary School #13
Baker Street - Bus Barn Renovation
Early Excellence Academy Relocate to Keefer Rd.
Tomball HS/Junior High - Upgraded Renovation
Beckendorf Complex - Satellite Bus Facility
Bus Purchases
Technology Cybersecurity Upgrade
District Security Upgrades

PROPOSITION B - $27,820,000

Proposition B - Sample Ballot Language - THE ISSUANCE OF $27,820,000 SCHOOL BUILDING BONDS FOR THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, ACQUISITION, REHABILITATION, RENOVATION, EXPANSION, IMPROVEMENT AND UPGRADING OF NEW TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS, TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE AND INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY, AND LEVYING AND IMPOSITION OF TAXES SUFFICIENT TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON THE BONDS AND THE COSTS OF ANY CREDIT AGREEMENTS. THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE. REQUIRED STATEMENT FOR ALL SCHOOL DISTRICT BOND PROPOSITIONS PURSUANT TO SECTION 45.003, TEXAS EDUCATION CODE.

Technology for Staff and Students

Instructional Technology Retrofit
Enhanced Infrastructure/Technology
Student Chromebook Refresh
Staff Device Refresh

PROPOSITION C - $8,100,000

Proposition C - Sample Ballot Language - THE ISSUANCE OF $8,100,000 SCHOOL BUILDING BONDS FOR THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, ACQUISITION, REHABILITATION, RENOVATION, EXPANSION, IMPROVEMENT, EQUIPMENT, REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT OF ATHLETIC STADIUM FACILITIES IN THE DISTRICT INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO SAFETY NETTING AT BACKSTOPS, SEATING AND RELATED STRUCTURES, AND LEVYING AND IMPOSITION OF TAXES SUFFICIENT TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON THE BONDS AND THE COSTS OF ANY CREDIT AGREEMENTS. THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE. REQUIRED STATEMENT FOR ALL SCHOOL DISTRICT BOND PROPOSITIONS PURSUANT TO SECTION 45.003, TEXAS EDUCATION CODE.

Athletic Upgrades

Athletic Upgrades

PROPOSITION D - $17,200,000

Proposition D - Sample Ballot Language - THE ISSUANCE OF $17,200,000 SCHOOL BUILDING BONDS FOR THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, ACQUISITION, REHABILITATION, RENOVATION, EXPANSION, IMPROVEMENT AND EQUIPMENT OF A HIGH SCHOOL NATATORIUM IN THE DISTRICT, AND LEVYING AND IMPOSITION OF TAXES SUFFICIENT TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON THE BONDS AND THE COSTS OF ANY CREDIT AGREEMENTS. THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE. REQUIRED STATEMENT FOR ALL SCHOOL DISTRICT BOND PROPOSITIONS PURSUANT TO SECTION 45.003, TEXAS EDUCATION CODE.

Natatorium

Juergen Rd. - Natatorium

PROPOSITION E - $47,800,000

Proposition E - Sample Ballot Language - THE ISSUANCE OF $47,800,000 SCHOOL BUILDING BONDS FOR THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, ACQUISITION, AND EQUIPMENT OF A RECREATIONAL FACILITY AT EACH HIGH SCHOOL IN THE DISTRICT (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE CONSTRUCTION, ACQUISITION, AND EQUIPMENT OF (I) A FIELD FOR THE USE OF ATHLETICS, BAND, CHEERLEADING AND SOCCER, (II) RESTROOMS, (III) ADMINISTRATION OFFICES AND (IV) STORAGE SPACE), AND LEVYING AND IMPOSITION OF TAXES SUFFICIENT TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON THE BONDS AND THE COSTS OF ANY CREDIT AGREEMENTS. THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE. REQUIRED STATEMENT FOR ALL SCHOOL DISTRICT BOND PROPOSITIONS PURSUANT TO SECTION 45.003, TEXAS EDUCATION CODE.

Multi-use Facilities

Juergen Rd. - Fine Arts/Athletics Multi-use Facility
Tomball High School - Fine Arts/Athletics Multi-use Facility
Tomball Memorial High School - Fine Arts/Athletics Multi-use Facility

Election Notice

Political Advertising: What You Need to Know
https://www.ethics.state.tx.us/data/resources/advertising/Gpol_adv.pdf

Political Fundraising: What You Need to Know

https://www.ethics.state.tx.us/data/resources/guides/Gpolfund.pdf

Guide to the Prohibition Against Using School District Resources for Political Advertising

https://www.ethics.state.tx.us/data/resources/advertising/Bsch_adv.pdf

Election Concerns or Questions

Feel free to also contact the Secretary of State Election Division at 1-800-252-8683 or visit their website at www.sos.state.tx.us.

Required Postings

Tax Information

NO INCREASE TO TOTAL TAX RATE

Taxpayers would not see an increase in the school district's total tax rate if voters approve the bond propositions on the November 2, 2021 ballot.

Together, these five propositions total $567.56 million, but due to rapid growth in the district and increasing property values (determined by the appraisal district), no tax rate increase would be associated with this bond if approved by voters.

However, new state law now requires every school district to include the statement “THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE” on the ballot, regardless of the actual impact on that district’s tax rate. If approved by voters, the TISD tax rate would not increase. This is due, in part, to the rapid growth in the community.

A few factors contribute to Tomball ISD's ability to issue

bonds without increasing the district's tax rate

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENTS

With rapid growth, Tomball ISD is forecasting property values for new homes and developments. As property values increase, tax revenue is projected to increase which will help finance new bonds.

PAYING DOWN DEBT

TISD has a solid debt repayment plan with the maximum maturity on debt issued of 30 years. TISD also considers bond refunding when financially advantageous or beneficial.

TISD Financial Awards

LOW INTEREST RATES

Based on current and projected market conditions, TISD can issue bonds at low interest rates. This makes it less costly to finance new bonds.

Understanding the Tax Rate

Public school taxes involve two figures which divide the school district’s budget into two “buckets.” The first is the Maintenance & Operations (M&O) budget, also known as the General Fund. The M&O fund is used to pay for the day-to-day operations of a district and includes items such as salaries, utilities, food, gas, supplies, etc. Approximately 88% of Tomball ISD’s M&O budget is spent on personnel salaries, benefits and related costs.

The second is the Interest & Sinking (I&S) budget or Debt Service. This fund is used to repay debt for capital improvements approved by voters through bond elections. As a comparison, this fund is similar to a mortgage or home improvement loan. I&S funds may only be used to repay debt.

Proceeds from a bond issue can be used for the construction and renovation of facilities, the acquisition of land and the purchase of capital items, such as equipment, technology and transportation. By law, I&S funds cannot be used for the M&O budget, which means voter-approved bonds cannot be used to increase salaries or to pay rising costs of utilities or services.

Tomball ISD’s current M&O rate is $0.94 and the I&S rate is $0.35, for a total district tax rate of $1.29 per $100 of property value.

Voting

ELECTION DAY: NOVEMBER 2, 2021 from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Tomball ISD residents will have the opportunity to vote on the bond propositions during early voting, October 18-29, 2021, or on Election Day, Tuesday, November 2, 2021. The last day to register to vote in this election is Monday, October 4, 2021.