Election
BY RYAN REYNOLDS
A $429.1 million bond package for Tomball ISD is on the May 3 ballot. The bond would fund projects to meet the district’s growth and infrastructure needs, TISD Superintendent Martha Salazar-Zamora said. Among the proposals are the construction of multiprogram activity centers at three high schools and athletic upgrades. District ocials said they chose to hold the bond election in May instead of November to account for limited construction windows, delivery times for materials and rising costs due to ination. TISD Chief Financial Ocer Zack Boles said the bond shouldn’t impact TISD’s total tax rate of $1.06 per $100 valuation because it falls within the district’s $430 million debt capacity. The four bond propositions will be voted on separately May 3. • Proposition A costs $331.6 million and focuses on refreshing aging campuses and facilities to adjust for student growth, TISD oficials said. • Proposition B allocates approximately $18 million to upgrade technology for staff and students. • Proposition C costs $2.8 million and aims to upgrade Tomball High School’s football stadium. • Proposition D is $76.7 million and proposes building multiprogram activity centers. Ocials said they hope to complete these projects with bond funds so the district doesn’t have to dip into its general operating budget. TISD’s $429.1M bond aims to fund new facilities, tech
Tomball ISD bonds, 2021 vs. 2025 2021 bond package
2025 bond package
$567.56M total
$429.1M total
Proposition A ($466.64M) [funded] • A new high school, intermediate school and elementary school • Tomball ISD Innovation Center • Relocating Tomball Star Academy • Building out the career and technical education space • Campus renovations • Security upgrades • New facilities Proposition B ($27.82M) [funded] • For student and staff devices and instructional technology upgrades
Proposition A ($331.6M) • Athletic, ine arts and safety/security upgrades ($41.04M) • Building Early Excellence Academy- South ($35M) • Elementary No. 13 land and site development ($38M) • Library renovations ($10.5M) • Career and technical education, special services program expansions ($20M) • Facility renovations, infrastructure replacements ($77.9M) • New buses, vehicles ($27.41M) • New Tomball Intermediate School ($59M) • Transportation Center expansion ($22.75M) Proposition B ($18M) • Instructional technology retroitting ($3M) • Staff device and student Chromebook refresh ($15M) Proposition C ($2.8M) • Athletic facility upgrades at Tomball High School Proposition D ($76.7M) • Multiprogram activity centers at Tomball, Tomball West and Tomball Memorial high schools
Proposition C ($8.1M) [failed] • Athletic upgrades For:
47.68% Against: 52.32%
Proposition D ($17.2M) [failed] • For a natatorium off Juergens Road For:
46.37% Against: 53.63%
Tomball ISD student enrollment 2014-15 enrollment 2024-25 enrollment 13,238 students 22,913 students
+73.1% enrollment increase
Proposition E ($47.8M) [failed] • Multiprogram facilities at three high schools For: 47.6% Against: 52.4%
Enrollment is projected to increase by: +9.5% by 2029-30 | +16% by 2034-35
SOURCES: TOMBALL ISD, TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY¨COMMUNITY IMPACT
What else
Boles said he believes TISD takes a conservative approach to taking on debt. The school district has issued more than $1 bil- lion in debt since 2008 without increasing the total tax rate. Boles also said the district has reduced the tax rate to its lowest level in the past 30 years. As required by Texas law, the statement “This is a property tax increase,” must be included on TISD voter ballots, regardless of the bond’s impact on the tax rate, because the district is taking on more debt if the bond were to pass.
Tomball ISD total tax rate (per $100 valuation) $1.58 $2
$0 estimated tax bill impact if bond passes
$1.5
$1
$1.06
$0.5
0
2006-07 2008-09 2010-11 2012-13 2014-15
2018-19 2016-17 2020-21
2022-23 2024-25
SOURCE: TOMBALL ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT
39
THE WOODLANDS EDITION
Powered by FlippingBook