2023 LOCAL VOTER GUIDE
ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS A $40 million renovation to the district’s College Street administrative building would add dedicated space for: • A disciplinary alternative education program • Accelerated learning programs • A special education 18+ program
ENROLLMENT PROJECTIONS PROJECTIONS Hutto ISD’s total enrollment is expected to nearly double over the next 10 years. O cials said bond projects are necessary to keep up with the growth.
Enrollment*
Current capacity
20,000
14,000
8,000
*THE 2022 23 SCHOOL YEAR SHOWS ACTUAL ENROLLMENT. EVERY YEAR AFTER SHOWS PROJECTED ENROLLMENT.
SOURCE: HUTTO ISD COMMUNITY IMPACT
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wanted to focus on the most vital projects. “I’m not too keen on the teacher housing just because I have no idea what that looks like,” Trustee Terrence Owens said. “We only spend money when we need it.” A at tax rate District o cials said even if voters approve all three bond propositions, HISD will not have to raise its tax rate of $1.3929 to pay o the bond. Chief Financial O cer Glenn Graham said by stag- gering projects over a period of several years as they become necessary, the dis- trict will have the funding it needs to make bond pay- ments with the existing debt service, or interest and sink- ing, tax rate of $0.45. Graham said due to rising property valuations and Hut- to’s growing population, the district’s tax base is growing quickly enough to o set any
need for a higher tax rate. However, those same rising property values mean even with an unchanged tax rate, property owners can expect to pay more in HISD taxes. As HISD’s tax base grows to rival those of larger neigh- boring districts, Graham said HISD could have more ex- ibility in how it approaches its nances. “If [growth] continues, we could start seeing prop- erty bases like a Round Rock or a P ugerville,” Graham said. “Therefore, it’s possi- ble—and I’m not making any promises or guarantees—it’s possible that we can pay for all this debt and then still Should voters approve the bond, o cials said it would likely take around three years before any of the new campuses are complete. Gideon said lengthy lower our tax rate.” What happens next
School year
SOURCE: HUTTO ISD COMMUNITY IMPACT
Because of Senate Bill 130, e ective September 2019, a proposition seeking voter approval for the issuance of bonds requires ballot language that indicates a property tax rate increase. However: DID YOU KNOW? Hutto ISD o cials said they do not expect the bond to increase the district’s property tax rate of $1.3929 due to continuing growth of HISD's tax base.
design processes and delays in the construction indus- try mean even if the bond is approved, relief is unlikely to come until one or two years after many campuses reach capacity. “For a little while, we’re going to see portables,” Gideon said. “For a little while, we’re going to see crowded conditions on the campuses because we’re just a little bit behind.” Should the bond fail to pass, Gideon said the dis- trict would need to utilize portable classrooms as a lon- ger-term solution while o - cials search for other ways to fund school construction. Gideon said portable classrooms would continue to ensure a safe learning environment, but the cost would have to come out of
SOURCE: TEXAS 86TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION COMMUNITY IMPACT
numerous events since call- ing the bond election. “It’s going to be incumbent on us to rub some leather o the bottom of our shoes and get out there and talk to our public,” Gideon said. “The picture we want the public to understand is not, ‘Sell the bonds, and next year we’re opening a school.’”
the district’s operating bud- get. He estimated portables would cost around $200,000 each with market conditions. Meanwhile, in the months leading up to the election, district o cials are focused on educating community members and setting expec- tations. In March, the dis- trict held a series of public information sessions where district o cials spoke with community members about the bond. District o - cials have also spoken at
For more information, visit
community impact.com .
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