FAQ

Bond

  • Just as homeowners borrow money in the form of a mortgage to finance the purchase of a home, a school district borrows money in the form of bonds to finance construction, renovation and other capital projects.

    Both are repaid over time, but in order for a school district to issue bonds, it must go to the voters for approval.

  • Bond funds can be used to pay for new buildings, additions and renovations to existing facilities, land acquisition, technology infrastructure and equipment for new or existing buildings.

    Bonds cannot be used for salaries or operating costs such as utility bills, supplies, building maintenance, fuel and insurance.

  • Districts cannot use funds from the bond to help with instructional supplies; however, Districts can use the proceeds to purchase and improve technology and support new and existing programs, such as the Audio-Visual program enhancement supported by Proposition B.

    Funds from Bonds can also be used for deferred maintenance projects, that are listed at every campus in Proposition A, so that we do not have to utilize Maintenance & Operations funds for these in the future, thus freeing up funds for academics and instruction, including salaries for teachers.

  • The Board of Trustees called a bond election in the amount of $375,000,000 to be brought before voters on May 4, 2024.

    The total for Proposition A is $366,000,000 and Proposition B is $9,000,000.

  • The Elgin ISD Citizens’ Bond Committee reviewed and prioritized District needs relating to student population growth, building age, safety and security, and evolving educational deliveries and programs.

    The Committee represented a broad cross section of the community, including parents, community constituents, and campus and district staff. They met six times from September 2023 through December 2023.

    The Committee presented their recommendation to the Elgin ISD Board of Education who made the final decision to call the election.

    Learn more about the Bond Citizens’ Committee here.

  • Elgin ISD currently has a AA- rating with S&P.

  • The interest rate will not be finalized until bonds are issued/sold. The earliest date would be about 1.5 to 2 months after a successful election.

    School districts are able to borrow money at lower, tax-exempt interest rates .

    Texas school district bond issues are also eligible to receive the State Permanent School Fund Guarantee (“PSF”). This guarantee allows for the bonds to receive the highest credit rating of ’Aaa’.

Tax

  • If approved by voters, this bond will not increase the district’s current tax rate.

  • When the tax base (all of the taxable property in our district) grows, like it has in Elgin ISD, the same tax rate produces more dollars.

    This allows the district to keep the I&S rate the same when issuing new bonds.

  • State law requires every school district to include the statement “THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE” on the ballot, even when the district is NOT expecting a rate increase.

    This is because the issuance of new bonds increases the term of the debt repayment. If all propositions are approved by voters, the EISD tax rate would not increase.

  • No. If you have applied for and received the Age 65 Freeze on your homestead, by law, your school taxes on your homestead cannot be raised above their frozen level, unless significant improvements have been made to the home.

    Also, there is no planned change to the EISD tax rate as a result of this election.

  • The appraised value can change and the tax rate will change, but the amount of school taxes on your homestead cannot increase.

    Normal repairs, maintenance and the economic impact of the market cannot increase the amount of taxes you will pay once a tax ceiling is in place on that homestead.

    Also, there is no planned change to the EISD tax rate as a result of this election.

Projects

  • Currently, only Elgin Elementary School (EES) has the PK program. When Harvest Ridge Elementary (HRES) opens in August 2024, it will also have a PK program. Trinity Ranch Elementary (TRES), scheduled to open in August 2025, is being designed to hold PK, but programs have not yet been determined for TRES.

  • All buses purchased by the District beginning in 2018 are required to have seatbelts.

  • The Elgin TX Independent School District Facebook account does have Bond 2024 information and videos. For copies of Bond Quick Facts and presentations, please visit the Resource page.

  • Elgin High School (EHS) currently has 4 tennis courts. To host tennis tournaments, EHS would need to have 4 additional courts for a total of 8. These 4 additional courts are included in Prop A.

Voting

  • Learn more about Voter Registration and find out if you are registered:

    Check Your Voter Registration

  • Any registered voter who resides within the Elgin ISD boundaries can cast their vote.

  • If I live outside of the city limits in Elgin, can I still vote in the May 2024 bond election? Yes, all registered voters who reside in Elgin ISD are eligible to vote in the May 2024 bond election.

  • Deadline to register to vote in this election is Thursday, April 4.

    Click here to register to vote!

  • Elgin ISD residents will have the opportunity to vote on the bond propositions during early voting, April 22 – April 30 or on Election Day, Saturday, May 4.

    You can find polling locations and times on the Voting page.

Growth

  • Elgin ISD does not control growth in the region. The school district is required to provide a seat in a classroom for every child within its boundaries who chooses to enroll in public school.

    Developments are approved by the municipalities (cities and counties). Some governmental entities can require developers to contribute to infrastructure, but governmental entities like Elgin ISD cannot require developers to contribute land or funds to build schools or contribute to creating the infrastructure needed to support schools.

Bond 2021

  • Trinity Ranch Elementary School (TRES) was approved by voters in November 2021 and will be located in the Trinity Ranch subdivision south of Highway 290 on Upper Elgin River Road.

  • The new facilities, improvements, and expansions at Elgin High School (EHS) were approved in the November 2021 bond. To open and complete these facilities as soon as possible, they do need to work during the school day.

    Our Campus and District leadership has worked closely with the General Contractor on-site to coordinate projects and deliveries to ensure a safe environment for students and staff.

  • The design has been completed, and the District is working through finalizing the details of various permitting requirements. We anticipate that construction will begin by Fall 2024.

  • Information regarding rezoning for the 2024-25 school year can be found at:

    https://www.elginisd.net/parents/student-transfers