BY HANNAH JOHNSON
Frisco ISD voters to see $1.08B bond on November ballot
Frisco ISD voters can expect a $1.08 billion bond package as well as a tax rate election on the November ballot. Frisco ISD board members placed the bond package and tax rate election on the ballot for the Nov. 5 general election during an Aug. 19 meeting. Approving the tax rate and calling the tax rate election was approved by trustees in 5-2 votes, with Stephanie Elad and Marvin Lowe casting dissenting votes. Calling a bond election was approved in a 6-1 vote, with Elad voting against approval. Elad cited concerns for how the bond propositions were packaged. She would have rather seen the campus refresh and Staley Middle School construction be separated from the rest of Proposition A. “Regardless of where we are Nov. 5, it is my hope this district continues to look at measures to reduce spending, get to a balanced budget and lower the tax burden on our community,” she said. Whether voters approve or deny all the bond propositions, the district’s interest and sinking tax rate—which is used for bonds and debt services— would not increase from its existing rate of $0.27. Sorting out details Frisco ISD voters can expect four propositions on the ballot. Proposition A is the tax rate election to increase the maintenance and operations portion of the rate by $0.0294 per $100 valuation. Proposition B includes $986 million for refresh- ing campuses and replacing furniture and equip- ment, among other costs. The proposition includes: • Refreshing 20 campuses that are reaching 25 years old
• Constructing a new Staley Middle School • Refreshing furniture and equipment for schools not included in the 25-year refresh • Repairing landscaping and paving districtwide • Purchasing new school buses, work trucks, a fueling station and truck wash • Upgrading safety and security The construction of the new Staley Middle School, which opened in 1996, could start in 2025 and be completed in 2026, if approved. Staley students were dismissed early Aug. 19 due to a mal- function in the campus’s cooling system, according to a social media post from the school. The new building will be located next to the existing campus. During construction, students can stay at the existing Staley campus, which will be used for special education students ages 18-21 once it is vacated by its middle school students. Proposition C is $88.2 million and includes a technology update to replace outdated devices to maintain the district’s one-to-one student-to-de- vice ratio from kindergarten through 12th grade. Proposition D comes in at $11.2 million to construct a tennis center of 16 outdoor courts for tournaments. A bond planning committee—which included 34 parents and community members, 18 district staff members and nine students—created the bond program recommendation after about 10 months of discussion. “We talked about how this bond ... is a very different bond package,” said Jamie Heit, bond committee member and district parent, during a July 29 special meeting where the bond was presented to board members. “It’s going to be a
Bond propositions Frisco ISD voters will have the opportunity to vote for or against the propositions on the Nov. 5 ballot.
Proposition D: $11.2M will construct a tennis center of 16 outdoor courts for tournaments.
Total $1.08B
Proposition C $88.2M includes a technology update to replace outdated devices.
Proposition B: $986M refresh campuses and replace furniture and equipment, among other costs.
SOURCE: FRISCO ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
lot more renovations versus building new school buildings.” Also of note District voters last saw a Frisco ISD bond on the ballot in November 2018 to build new schools and facilities, which passed for $691 million. Other previous bonds that were approved by FISD voters include:
• 2014 bond for $775 million • 2006 bond for $798 million • 2003 bond for $298 million • 1998 bond for $118 million
The potential 2024 bond is the first for Frisco ISD to reach $1 billion, according to historical bond data presented by the district. Early voting runs Oct. 21 through Nov. 1.
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