The Tomball ISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously to call a Bond Election for May 3, 2025. The $429 million referendum would generate funding for state-mandated safety and security updates, a replacement school for Tomball Intermediate which would decrease traffic on Main Street, a new Pre-K Center, renovations to career and technical education classrooms, and updates for facilities and programs across the district.
Learn more about what's proposed, and plan to VOTE in this important election.
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MAY 3, 2025 BOND ELECTION
Three important facts to remember about the 2025 Bond:
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Fact 1.
The 2025 Bond will impact ALL students in Tomball ISD.
Fact 2.
The 2025 Bond will NOT increase the Total District Tax Rate.
Fact 3.
Any registered voter living in Tomball ISD can cast their ballot.
Bond 2025 Details
Propositions
Proposal
The Tomball ISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously to call a Bond Election for May 3, 2025.
The called election comes following the recommendation from a community-based Bond Steering Committee (BSC) that met in December 2024 and January 2025.
Community voters will have an opportunity to vote on a $429,095,000 bond proposal that provides upgrades and addresses needs throughout the district during the May election. Through four ballot propositions (A-D), the bond will address:
- refreshing aging campuses and facilities,
- safety and security,
- new student growth,
- transportation needs, and
- refreshing and replacing outdated technology.
The Bond includes projects that impact all students and WILL NOT INCREASE the Total District Tax Rate.
A bond is similar to a home mortgage. It is a contract to repay borrowed money with interest over time. Through Bond elections, communities give the Board of Trustees authority to sell bonds to pay for items such as school construction, capital projects, and land acquisition.
PROPOSITION A
School Upgrades & New Facilities
$331,595,000 |
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NEW Tomball Intermediate School
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Safety and security upgrades
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Existing campus refresh
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Pre-K Center #2
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Facility infrastructure replacements
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Transportation Center expansion
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Fleet additions and replacements
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Program Expansion (Special Services)
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Program Expansion (CTE)
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Fine Arts updates
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Athletic facility upgrades
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Elementary library refresh
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Connections Academy renovation
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Elementary #13 land and site development only
PROPOSITION B
Technology
$18,000,000 |
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Student Chromebook refresh
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SMART panel replacements
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Staff device refresh
PROPOSITION C
Updates to Original Tomball HS Stadium
$2,800,000 |
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Turf replacement
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Track restriping
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Lighting upgrades
PROPOSITION D
Multi-Program Activity Centers
$76,700,000 |
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Build Fine Arts & Athletics Multi-Program Activity Centers at Tomball High School, Tomball Memorial High School, and Tomball West High School.
Informational items including videos, presentations, and handouts will be presented to the Tomball community over the coming weeks to provide an informative outlook on the contents of the bond proposal.
Early voting begins April 22 and ends April 29, and Election Day is Saturday, May 3, 2025.
Board Presentation - Feb. 10, 2025
Background
The bond proposal was developed by the Bond Steering Committee (BSC) 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 25-member committee was comprised of parents, community members, business partners; and TISD educators. The BSC 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 January 13.
If approved by voters, this bond proposal will not increase the Total District Tax Rate.
Presentations & Minutes
FAQs
General Questions
- What is a Bond?
- How can Bond Funds be used?
- Why do you need a Bond Election?
- Why are we having a 2025 Bond if we had a Bond in 2021?
- Why are there Multiple Propositions on the Ballot?
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, 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 we having a 2025 Bond if we had a Bond in 2021?
The Bond 2025 Steering Committee, comprised of 25 parents, community members, business partners, and TISD educators. The Committee 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. After analyzing current enrollment, school capacities, and demographic projections, the committee made recommendations to the Board of Trustees which led to the Board voting unanimously to have a 2025 bond election.
Why are there Multiple Propositions on the Ballot?
Finance & Tax Quesitons
- How will the 2025 Bond Election affect my taxes?
- Why does the Ballot Language say this is a Tax Increase?
- How can Tomball ISD afford to issue Bonds without a Tax Rate Increase?
- Why is there no other way to Fund these projects?
- How does the District decide what's included in a Bond Election?
- What if I am 65+ and receive the "Senior Citizen Exemption" and my Home Values go up?
How will the 2025 Bond Election affect my taxes?
Why does the Ballot Language say this is a Tax Increase?
In 2019, the Texas Legislature passed a law requiring 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 May 3, 2025 ballot. Together, the proposals total $429 million. No increase in the total tax rate is necessary to pay off the bonds associated with these propositions.
Tomball ISD taxpayers would not see an increase in the total tax rate if voters approve all bond propositions on the May 3, 2025 ballot. Together, the proposals total $429 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?
Why is there no other way to Fund these projects?
Most construction, facility improvements, and equipment purchases exceed what Texas school districts are able to pay out of their general operating budget. This is why the state established a system for schools to hold bond elections, which are often the only option to fund new schools and big-ticket items.
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) restricts districts from building adequate savings to fund major infrastructure projects and accommodate growth in the student population.
How does the District decide what's included in a Bond Election?
Bond 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 district seeks input from a citizens’ committee and the Board may call a bond election.
What if I am 65+ 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.
Project Questions
- Are upgrades to the Natatoriums included in the Bond 2025 package?
- Is a new Natatorium included in the Bond 2025 package?
- Why are we adding an Additional Pre-K Center?
- Where are the Sites for the new Tomball Intermediate and Elementary #13?
- What Safety & Security Upgrades are expected for Students & Staff?
- What is Included in the Existing Campus Refresh?
- What is the Lifecycle of Student Chromebooks and Staff Technology Devices?
- Who will use the Multi-Program Activity Centers?
- Why are Athletic Projects in two Separate Propositions?
- What Athletic projects are included in Proposition A?
Are upgrades to the Natatoriums included in the Bond 2025 package?
Is a new Natatorium included in the Bond 2025 package?
Why are we adding an Additional Pre-K Center?
A second Pre-K Center is proposed for students on the south side of the district to assist with growth and relieve the current Early Excellence Academy. Students who will attend Pre-K Center #2 will feed into the following Elementary Schools: Canyon Pointe, Grand Oaks, Lakewood, Wildwood, Willow Creek, and West.
Where are the Sites for the new Tomball Intermediate and Elementary #13?
What Safety & Security Upgrades are expected for Students & Staff?
In Proposition A, Bond 2025 addresses security upgrades to district-wide radio communications, updating facility access control equipment, window film at non-instructional facilities, and fencing.
In Proposition B, Bond 2025 addresses updating technology to protect students and staff from cyber threats, data breaches, and outdated security vulnerabilities and keeps the district compliant with evolving safety and security standards. Secure and modern devices ensure that students’ personal information and learning resources remain protected.
In Proposition C, Bond 2025 addresses updates and lifecycle replacements of turf, track restriping, and lighting upgrades at the original Tomball High School stadium for the safety of student athletes and staff.
In Proposition D, Bond 2025 addresses providing a safe, indoor space for students and staff of athletics, fine arts, and other district programs to practice, perform, and host competitions while being compliant with UIL guidelines on weather temperature.
What is Included in the Existing Campus Refresh?
The campus refresh is designed to bring parity across district facilities, bringing campuses up to district standards of new facilities and programs. It includes facility infrastructure replacements for electrical, plumbing, HVAC, furniture, painting, flooring, landscaping, and campus lighting, as well as elementary library renovations of pre-2021 campus libraries.
What is the Lifecycle of Student Chromebooks and Staff Technology Devices?
Who will use the Multi-Program Activity Centers?
Multi-Program Activity Centers (MPACs) are for all students and campuses in their high school feeder patterns. MPACs could be used as additional practice and rehearsal space for the following programs: band, baseball, cheer, dance, football, JROTC/LOTC, soccer, softball, summer strength and conditioning, and track and field.
Community groups may request to use the MPACs through the district facility rental process. Fees charged through the facility rental process will offset the costs of keeping the MPACs open when utilized for community events.
Why are Athletic Projects in two Separate Propositions?
What Athletic projects are included in Proposition A?
At facilities with seating for less than 1,000 spectators, the following projects are included: turf installation at junior high football fields and replacement at Tomball Memorial HS, safety netting at backstops, replacement of bleachers at Tomball HS gyms, and upgraded lighting systems at athletic facilities.
Voting Questions
- Who is Elegible to Vote in this Election?
- What if I am new to the Community and not yet Registered to Vote?
- How do I know if I am Registered?
- Where can I Vote?
Who is Elegible to Vote in this Election?
What if I am new to the Community and not yet Registered to Vote?
How do I know if I am Registered?
To see if you are registered to vote, click one of these links: Harris County search or Montgomery County search.