ECTOR COUNTY, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- Ector County voters said yes to one of Ector County ISD’s three bond propositions with 57% of voters in favor of Proposition A. 52% of voters said no to Proposition B, while 54% of voters said no to Proposition C, according to unofficial final results out of the Ector County Election office. Here’s a look at what Proposition A will fund: view article

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Voters in 15 school districts across Central Texas approved more than $3.4 billion in bonds in Saturday’s election. In total, $3,422,330,131 in bonds were approved. That money will go toward building new schools, buying new school buses, upgrading technology and even building a swim center. A further $119 million in bonds were rejected by voters in five districts. view article

On the November 7 General Election, the voting majority in Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD voted in favor of bond propositions A and B and against bond propositions C and D. The approved bonds total $561.1 million and will address enrollment growth over the next seven years. “We thank those in our community who took the time to go vote and we are thankful for your support with managing current and future enrollment growth,” said Dr. Jim F. Chadwell, Superintendent. “While our hope was to see all the projects recommended by the Long-Range Facility Planning Committee approved, we respect the community’s decisions made in this election and will begin planning for projects in Propositions A and B.” view article

The cost to Texas taxpayers of educating illegal aliens exceeds $7 billion a year, according to a new study from the Huffines Liberty Foundation. In the last fiscal year, nearly 2.5 million illegal aliens were encountered on the southern border by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, with the majority of those encounters taking place in Texas. “The most important step that can be taken to reduce these costs is to secure the U.S. border with Mexico. Unfortunately, neither federal nor state politicians are seriously trying to shut down the border to illegal immigration,” the study states. “The next best thing we can do is make Texas less attractive to current and potential illegal aliens. And perhaps the best way we can do that is to eliminate the many government benefits that illegal aliens take advantage of upon their arrival in Texas.” view article

The proposed high school stadium was part of a four-proposition bond package, totaling $2.8 billion.  PROSPER, Texas — It doesn't appear the Prosper Independent School District will be getting a new football stadium.  Proposition C, which was aimed funding a new $94 million football stadium, was at 5,533 votes against and 4,767 votes for, a percentage split of 54-46, with 100% of precincts reporting Wednesday morning.  Proposition C was one of four bond items on the ballot for Prosper voters. Propositions A, B and D appeared to pass by comfortable margins. Proposition A was for building new schools and facilities, B was for technology upgrades and D was for construction a new performance arts center. view article

Voters in Prosper Independent School District approved three of four bond propositions on Tuesday’s ballot, obligating local property taxpayers to repay $2.7 billion in bond debt. However, they rejected a proposal to build the most expensive high school football stadium in Texas history. With interest, the three bonds passed will cost Prosper ISD taxpayers $4.9 billion, according to estimates prepared by the district ahead of the election. School officials said the bonds are necessary to accommodate the district’s growth. Bond opponents argued that the projects included in the bonds are too extravagant. view article

Voters in the Decatur school district have once again rejected all three school bond propositions totaling $68 million that would have primarily addressed current maintenance issues. Prop. A failed by a 56 to 44 percent margin. Prop. B was defeated 74 to 26 percent. Prop. C was rejected 57 to 43 percent view article

Planned projects include a heated outdoor swimming pool, a new elementary school and a middle school. District leaders said if the bond was approved, the tax rate would be reduced by 2 cents, from $1.67 to $1.65 per $100 property valuation for Crosby Independent School District residents. "Very seldom do you hear school districts promote a bond election with a 2-cent drop in taxes," Board President Carla Mills Windfont said during one of several videos she posted in the days leading up to the election. More than 57 percent of the voters approved of the bond, according to unofficial numbers. Less than 11 percent of the district's 15,730 registered voters cast a ballot. view article

According to unofficial results with all 57 precincts reporting in Montgomery County, voters approved Propositions A-C and rejected Proposition D in the Conroe ISD bond proposition Nov. 7. Proposition A passed by 61.08% with 25,835 votes in favor, 16,460 against; Proposition B passed by 58.34% with 24,569 votes for, 17,542 against; Proposition C passed by 58.75% with 24,707 votes for, 21,303 against; Proposition D failed by 641 votes with 50.76% voting against the proposition. All results are unofficial until canvassed. There were 72,942 ballots cast countywide, which represents 17.25% of Montgomery County's 422,932 registered voters. The $1.9B bond proposal was the largest ask in school history. With the failing of Proposition D, the bond amount will decrease by approximately $23 million. However, the remaining $1.8 million will still eclipse the $653 million bond passed in 2019. view article

Comanche Public School District passed a $5.43 million bond Tuesday night that will fund a capital improvement plan for the schools. With a vote of 77.61 percent yes, to 22.39 percent no, the bond passed with a total vote of 305 to 88. The last time Comanche passed a school bond was more than 10 years ago. The last bond, which was passed in 2000, will soon be paid off according to Terry Davidson, which will not increase property taxes for residents. This bond will hopefully finish some projects that couldn’t be completed from the last bond due to the increase in crude oil during the stretch of the 2000 bond. view article

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) - College Station ISD saw significant support for two bond proposals, which will spur major building projects on several campuses, improve district-wide security, and ensure technology access for students and teachers. The district didn’t see the same support for two bonds designed to fund football, track, baseball, and softball complex improvements. The district’s general bond carried the most expensive price tag and was approved by nearly 70% of voters. At $284,975,000, the district said it would not increase taxes. Also approved was $14,145,000 for technology, which the district says will cause a property tax increase, but ensures all teachers in the district will continue to have a laptop, along with a set of laptops for each subject area classroom. Both bonds associated with athletics that were voted down Tuesday night would have also increased taxes. Each failed by about 500 votes. view article

Residents in Cleveland Independent School District voted against the district’s $125 million bond for five major projects. With interest, the bond would have cost local property taxpayers $282 million—more than double the dollar amount shown on the ballot. CISD taxpayers already owe $573 million in previously approved bond debt principal and interest. CISD Superintendent Stephen McCanless said the bond was needed to keep up with mass enrollment. However, voters showed up to the polls and disagreed with his sentiment. view article

The majority of voters soundly rejected Utopia ISD’s $58 million dollar bond which was on the ballot with a slate of the Constitutional Amendments for Texas voters to decide on. Early votes posted Tuesday evening after 7 PM at the Uvalde Leader-News election total board indicated the proposed school bond might be in trouble showing only 7 votes were in favor of the bond with 22 votes against. Shortly after 9 PM, the Uvalde Hesperian visited the Uvalde County Elections Office and spoke to County Elections Director Melissa Jones if any additional results had been received. She stated that since Utopia ISD covers an area encompassing four counties, her office may not get the complete results for this ballot issue. view article

It’s a great day to be a Hornet! The Azle ISD bond proposition passed by 53.27% (unofficially), after tallying votes from all three counties. View unofficial election results by county. Official election results will be canvassed at the November 13 school board meeting. "Thank you to everyone who participated in the election", said Superintendent Todd Smith. "Every vote matters, and I truly appreciate everyone’s effort in getting to the polls and helping get voters to the polls." This is a tremendous accomplishment for Azle ISD and our community. The big winners are our students and future Hornets! The $151.5 million bond proposal was designed by the district's Long-Range Facilities Planning Committee made up of more than 40 parents, staff, students, and community members. view article

In a time when inflation and increased property tax has paychecks stretched thin, it could have been a hard ask to have taxpayers approve measures that could increase their taxes even more. Still, voters on Saturday passed all but one of the bond measures for local school districts. Alamo Heights ISD, Comal ISD, Southwest ISD and Medina Valley ISD all got voter approval to move forward on big district initiatives. However, Comal ISD voters did reject one of three bond proposals. Funding for the bonds comes from property taxes, but because of the increase in property appraisals, that increase for the school district portion may already be covered. view article

Voters in three Fort Worth area school districts approved bond proposals to build new schools, renovate old ones and enhance technology and security on campuses, according to unofficial results. But a plan for new athletic facilities was rejected in Eagle Mountain-Saginaw. HURST-EULESS-BEDFORD A nearly $1 billion bond package will replace L.D. Bell and Trinity high schools and four elementary campuses in the Hurst-Euless-Bedford school district. view article

Aldine voters overwhelmingly approved all three bond propositions totaling approximately $1.8 billion during the Nov. 7 election. It was the largest bond referendum in the history of Aldine ISD. Proposition A passed with 8,696 votes for and 4,031 against (passing by 68.3%). There were 12,727 votes cast in the Prop A election. Proposition B passed with 8,198 votes for and 4,452 against (passing by 64.8%). There were 12,650 votes cast in the Prop B election. Proposition C passed with 6,903 votes for and 5,617 against (passing by 55%). There were 12,520 votes cast in the Prop C election. Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney thanked the community for its support and added that now the work begins to implement the three propositions. view article

Aldine voters overwhelmingly approved all three bond propositions totaling approximately $1.8 billion during the Nov. 7 election. It was the largest bond referendum in the history of Aldine ISD. Proposition A passed with 8,696 votes for and 4,031 against (passing by 68.3%). There were 12,727 votes cast in the Prop A election. Proposition B passed with 8,198 votes for and 4,452 against (passing by 64.8%). There were 12,650 votes cast in the Prop B election. Proposition C passed with 6,903 votes for and 5,617 against (passing by 55%). There were 12,520 votes cast in the Prop C election. Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney thanked the community for its support and added that now the work begins to implement the three propositions. view article

With better infrastructure, the desert city of Midland, Texas, would have a better chance of drawing workers to the continent’s most productive shale fields.  When Sam Sledge walked the halls of Robert E. Lee High School in the early 2000s, the aging West Texas campus had already seen better days. Dozens of small, portable trailers littered the grounds to house student overflow, the chief of ProPetro Holding Corp. recalls, and Phys Ed was downright brutal in an un-airconditioned gym.  The institution has since dropped the Confederate general’s name, but the physical structures at the rebranded school and others in the district have seen scant improvement, imperiling companies’ ability to lure talent to the rural, oil-rich desert. Desperate to change that, drillers are urging voters on Nov. 7 to approve the biggest-ever school bond in Midland, Texas, history: a $1.4 billion package to expand and refurbish its aging, overcrowded school system. view article

This win is for the students and staff in Midland ISD, but more importantly, it’s a win for Midland. The last secondary bond we passed was 20 years ago. I am so excited for the students who will benefit from the new facilities and grade reconfiguration. When we began this process back in February, we worked hard to establish a committee that represented Midland. We talked about putting together a package the community could get behind and support. The Bond Planning Committee worked tirelessly through the spring and into the summer, and they put together a package that our community was able to support. I appreciate our board, the Bond Planning Committee, the spokespeople, Aaron, Austin, and Josh, Stan and Tina who led the PAC, my cabinet who made this all come together, and most importantly our staff, parents, and community who showed up and voted. It’s a great day for Midland ISD. view article

Unofficial results from the Katy Independent School District’s bond election indicated approval of Propositions A and B by voters, constituting more than 95% of the 2023 bond program. According to a news release from the district, the results enable Katy ISD to provide its students and staff with new facilities that will offer enrollment relief in its northwest quadrant, campus renovations and component replacements for aging buildings and structures, safety and security improvements, and advancements in classroom and campus technology. view article

Scope of work consists of Package 2 of the new construction of Kendrick Elementary School, approximately 87,586 sq ft. Trades involved are concrete, masonry, metals, wood/plastics/composites, thermal & moisture protection, openings, finishes, specialties, equipment, furnishings, special construction, conveying equipment, fire suppression ,plumbing, HVAC, electrical, communications, electronic safety & security. view article

Voters approved bond proposals in parts of East Texas while other proposals were ejected on Election Day. In the city of Nacogdoches, all seven propositions passed. The election was called after a petition kept the city from using certificates of obligation. The bonds include improvements at the airport, streets and infrastructure. view article

The voter approval rate for school maintenance and construction costs dipped in 2021 after lawmakers required school boards to call them “tax increases.”  ODESSA — Delma Abalos was stunned.In the years she has served as a vice president of the school board in Ector County, there was never enough cash to pay for every pressing maintenance repair that came up. She would fret over every loose wire, broken air conditioning unit, or portable classroom, never mind building new facilities.  The lifelong Odessan had attempted over the last decade to bring together her community to create a blueprint she and the school board would translate into a bond proposal, one of few ways schools can obtain cash for large-scale infrastructure projects by asking voters to approve new debt. Voters said no. Until Tuesday night. view article

Similar scenes took place across Texas as school leaders crowded around laptops examining results of bond elections trickle in. Seventy-five Texas school districts put bond measures on the ballot, asking voters to allow districts to borrow nearly $18 billion, according to the Texas Bond Review Board. According to an early analysis of results by The Texas Tribune, at least 50% of those proposals passed and some 30% failed. Failed bond proposals included the construction of new athletic facilities, such as swimming pools and football stadiums, and some new school buildings. view article

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Voters in 15 school districts across Central Texas approved more than $3.4 billion in bonds in Saturday’s election. In total, $3,422,330,131 in bonds were approved. That money will go toward building new schools, buying new school buses, upgrading technology and even building a swim center. A further $119 million in bonds were rejected by voters in five districts. view article

College Station voters had a split decision on the school district’s four propositions as part of its $350 million bond package. While voters approved two propositions centered on renovating and expanding existing facilities and technology needs, they voted down two propositions that would expand and renovate athletics facilities at the district’s two high schools. “I want to thank the College Station community for showing up at the polls and exercising their right to vote in this election,” College Station superintendent Tim Harkrider said in a statement. “I’m grateful for the long-range planning committee and hours of work they put in to provide a comprehensive package to the voters, and for the district staff and community members who led and facilitated bond public presentations. We look forward to getting to work on the approved projects and continuing to provide opportunities for students to succeed.” view article

Travis County voters appear to overwhelmingly support the county’s largest bond package in history. The funds will pay for roads and parks throughout the county. As of 11 p.m., unofficial results showed 76.23% of voters were in favor of Proposition A, which would fund road projects, and 77.4% of voters supported Proposition B, which would fund parks. The bond package totals more than $509 million. The average homeowner with a home valued at $475,289 will pay $4.78 more a month or $57 more a year to cover it. County Judge Andy Brown said this was a testament to voters wanting to make investments in county roads and parks for years to come. view article

November 7, 2023 — Midland County has released unofficial results and determined Midland voters passed a $1.415 billion school bond Tuesday. Midland ISD is grateful for the community’s support of the projects in the bond. This is the first school bond in Midland to address secondary schools in 20 years. The bond was approved 56.12% (12,404 votes for) to 43.88% (9,699 votes against) with 22,103 voters participating in the election. The final voting results from Midland County are unofficial until the Midland ISD Board of Trustees canvass the election results at a Special School Board Meeting set for noon Friday, Nov. 17. The called bond election was a culmination of 18 months of work that began with a Long-Range Planning Committee in 2022. From February through July of this year, a 100-member citizen, staff and student committee reviewed the work of the Long-Range Planning Committee, facilities assessments, growth projections and a demographic study to identify the needs of existing facilities and the future of infrastructure for the district. The committee identified facilities and projects to serve all students across multiple grade levels and programs, and discussed grade reconfiguration, building capacities, the budget outlook and inflationary impact on construction materials and labor. view article

Some of the biggest parts of Lewisville ISD’s bond election was approved in Tuesday’s election, but voters rejected other propositions. With 76% of precincts reporting as of 11 p.m., the following unofficial results have been provided by the Denton County Elections Office: view article

Houston-area voters appeared to back roughly $5 billion in bonds for new school buildings, technology upgrades and athletics facilities, according to early and absentee voting returns plus most Election Day ballots.  This election cycle, 10 school districts across greater Houston put bond issues on the ballot, ranging from $15 million to $2 billion, worth a total of $5.7 billion. In most cases, voters appeared to green light the initiatives, sending them toward passage.  School bond measures allow districts to borrow money for construction or other large investments. If voters approve, districts are pre-approved to borrow a set amount of money, which they pay back over time. For each proposition to pass, a simple majority of 50 percent plus one vote is needed. view article

Texans will vote on increasing property tax relief in the Nov. 7 constitutional amendment election. Proposition 4, stemming from H.J.R 2 from the 2nd special session this year, would: Raise the general school district homestead exemption to $100,000 Allow legislature to set a cap on annual appraised-value increase for non-homestead real property Ensure appropriations for property tax relief does not count towards the constitutional spending limit Allow legislature to set four-year terms for members of an appraisal entity’s governing body in counties with 75,000+ residents view article

Midland Independent School District residents are questioning the size and scope of a $1.4 billion bond proposition that school officials placed on the November ballot—by far the largest single bond ever proposed by the district. With interest, the bond would cost local property taxpayers $2.9 billion—more than double the dollar amount shown on the ballot. Midland ISD officials want taxpayers to fund two new high schools to replace existing schools; a new elementary school; and improvements to multiple facilities. The bond also includes security upgrades. All the projects are packed into a single all-or-nothing ballot proposition. Former Midland mayor Mike Canon is one of the residents asking questions—not only about the “absolutely staggering amount” of the bond and whether some projects are “wants” versus “needs,” but also what impact the spending will have on students’ educational performance. view article

Voters in Lake Travis Independent School District will consider an athletic bond package that looks to add and improve athletic facilities around the district. Voters approved adding new schools during the 2022 bond, but they rejected the part of the bond that would fund new athletic facilities, which was proposition C for around $94 million. view article

On Tuesday, voters in Prosper will be asked to approve a massive $2.8 billion bond measure, including a massive new football stadium and performing arts center. The town in Collin and Denton counties is one of the fastest-growing areas in North Texas. The school district has gone from fewer than 1,000 students enrolled in 2002 to more than 28,000 students in 2023. view article