By As Houston voters prepare to vote for Houston ISD’s historic “Renew HISD” bond this November, more than 75% say they would support a school bond that does not result in a property tax increase, according to a poll by the Kinder Institute for Urban Research.
The Institute surveyed about 7,500 Harris County residents in January and August in two polls. The results show that more than three-fourths of Houstonians support bonds similar to the one proposed by HISD.
In January, 78% of respondents living in HISD said they would vote for a bond that resulted in tax increases of $1 or less. This figure decreased slightly in August, when 76% of respondents said they would support such a measure.
HISD’s proposed $4.4 billion school bond will not increase property taxes and it would be the largest in Texas history if approved.
The poll also found that 53% of respondents in HISD said the top priority of the bond should be on improving campus safety. 51% said the bond should prioritize career and technical education facilities, 34% said technology upgrades are essential, and 31% identified that campus renovations should be prioritized.
If approved, HISD’s bond would allocate $384 million for security upgrades at 263 campuses. In addition, it would also use $375 million to build three new CTE centers in the south, west and central divisions of the district, with an additional $50 million for renovations at Barbara Jordan Career Center.
The bond would also renovate other campuses and would allocate $440 million for technology equipment, systems, and infrastructure.
“Findings from the survey indicate significant support for increased education funding among respondents who live within HISD’s boundaries,” the study reads.
How Do Bonds Work?
In Texas, schools can propose a bond to realize improvements on campus installations or to acquire materials or technology for schools. A bond allows a school district to borrow funds to finance these projects.
If the proposal is authorized, the school can sell bonds to investors who are repaid with interest. Repayment is typically made through the district’s existing property tax revenue. While the HISD bond will not increase property taxes, natural increasing property values can generate enough additional revenue to repay the bonds without a tax hike.
The interest rate paid is based on the district’s bond rating and interest rates at the time of the sale.
Voters approve a specific dollar amount the district is allowed to sell without another election.
By using these methods, Texas school districts can invest in infrastructure and educational resources.
