BY MARK FADDEN & HEATHER MCCULLOUGH
GCISD to refund bonds, could save $8M in taxes Grapevine-Colleyville ISD has approved the refi- nancing of the series 2016 bonds, which could save taxpayers $8.16 million by lowering the interest
CISD residents oppose opening districts Carroll ISD board President Cameron Bryan updated district residents April 14 on the status of SB 686, a bill that, if passed, would require school districts with capacity to allow open enrollment for nonresidential students. What’s happening? Bryan, who called the bill “horrible,” said that CISD residents have sent more than 9,200 emails to state representatives opposing the bill as of mid-April. Bryan said that while SB 686, which passed and is under consideration in the house, aims to increase educational access and increase district funding, it “erodes local control and threatens the unique identity of Carroll ISD.” Place 5 Trustee Renee Bottom agreed that SB 686 would “absolutely take away local control.”
2016 series bond debt as of 2025 Grapevine-Colleyville ISD has approved lowering the interest rate of the 2016 series bonds to save on the $158.03 million still owed.
Debt after refund $26.85M
rate of the bonds. What’s happening
Refunded debt at lower interest rate $131.18M
GCISD could refund 83% of the 2016 series bonds debt through a lower interest rate. The remaining debt not refunded will be paid off at the current payment schedule, Chief Financial Officer David Johnson said. The interest rate may decrease from 5% to 3.87%, prompting the possible savings. The series 2016 bonds became available for a refund April 15 due to favorable market con- ditions, according to financial consultants BOK Financial Securities.
SOURCE: GRAPEVINE-COLLEYVILLE ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Diving deeper GCISD will move forward with refunding the bond under certain parameters: • Market conditions allow for at least 5% or more in savings on interest for the bonds • The district cannot refinance anymore than $131.18 million • The max “all in” interest rate, which looks at the actual interest plus the costs of financing, is 4% The bond must be refunded prior to April 27, 2026.
Carroll ISD considers adjusting student-teacher ratio
CISD student-teacher ratios
2024-25 ratios
Proposed 2025-26 ratios
recommendation includes reducing 10 positions through a gradual reduction, which would have a possible $700,000 cost savings. The recommendations are based on lower stu- dent enrollment and budget constraints. District documents state student enrollment counts and student-to-teacher ratios are subject to change. The recommendations were for informational purposes and no action was taken by the board.
Carroll ISD Executive Director of Human Resources Melanie Kibodeaux presented staffing recommendations, including upping the stu- dent-teacher ratio, for the 2025-26 school year to the board of trustees March 31. The details Kibodeaux said positions would be reduced through attrition where possible. The current
Elementary
22:1
22:1
Intermediate
24:1
27:1
Middle School
24:1
27:1
High School
25:1
28:1
SOURCE: CARROLL ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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GRAPEVINE - COLLEYVILLE - SOUTHLAKE EDITION
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