Texas voters reject nearly $5B in major school bond proposals

Voters rejected billions of dollars in proposed school construction, renovations and technology investments in the Nov. 3 election, turning down major bond packages in the Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth and San Antonio areas. Defeated proposals included Cypress-Fairbanks ISD’s $1.64 billion package, Irving ISD’s approximately $952 million request and Northside ISD’s $886 million program. Results remained unofficial as of Nov. 4. 

Voters had two types of propositions to consider: bond propositions to finance construction, renovations, buses and technology, and voter-approval tax rate elections, or VATREs, to generate operating revenue for salaries, utilities and classroom expenses. Bond proceeds are repaid through a district’s interest and sinking tax collections, while operating expenses are funded through maintenance and operations revenue. Districts presented the requests as separate propositions, allowing voters to approve one while rejecting another. 

School operating tax elections have been a recurring feature of Texas school finance since lawmakers tightened voter-approval requirements following the 2006 property tax cuts. Historically, those requests have passed more often than they failed: Districts won approval in approximately 80 percent of 751 elections held from 2006 through 2019, according to the Texas Taxpayers and Research Association. More recently, 85 percent of districts holding VATREs in November 2023 succeeded, according to data cited by the Texas Association of School Boards. 

Texas tightened limits on school operating tax rates in 2006, requiring voter approval for districts to access additional taxing authority beyond a prescribed threshold. Lawmakers revised the system in 2019, establishing the current framework that reduces districts’ base operating tax rates as property values grow, a process known as tax compression. Districts generally can levy up to 17 additional cents per $100 of taxable value for enrichment, but access to those pennies depends on state rules and prior voter authorization. 

Ahead of the election, the Texas Bond Review Board (BRB) compiled an inventory of 63 school bond propositions across 28 districts, totaling approximately $7.36 billion in proposed borrowing. After Morgan Meyer’s broader local-government debt bill, HB 19, stalled in the 2025 session, lawmakers instead passed HB 3526, a narrower bond transparency measure. That law requires local governments to report proposition details to BRB at least 20 days before an election and vote totals within 20 days afterward, with results published online. 

Cypress-Fairbanks ISD: $1.64B rejected 

Cypress-Fairbanks ISD voters rejected all four propositions in a $1.636 billion bond package intended to address existing schools and district facilities. None received more than 37 percent support, according to unofficial results reported by KPRC-TV. Voters also rejected Proposition A, a separate operating tax increase. 

Proposition B sought approximately $1.3 billion for school buildings, including infrastructure and safety improvements. Proposition C requested approximately $256 million for technology. Propositions D and E addressed stadium and swimming facilities. 

The bond defeat leaves those proposed capital investments without voter authorization as the district also confronts an estimated $80 million operating deficit. Superintendent Doug Killian said the district would reassess its options and seek continued community involvement, according to KPRC-TV. The operating tax proposal would have provided additional revenue for daily expenses, a separate purpose from the bond-funded projects. 

Irving ISD: Approximately $952M rejected 

Irving ISD voters rejected all four propositions in a package totaling approximately $952 million, according to radio station KRLD. The proposal combined replacement campuses with districtwide improvements, technology investments and student program facilities. The district developed it through a facilities planning process that continued work begun before its 2023 bond program. 

Proposition A sought approximately $552 million for campus replacements and other improvements. Its projects included the new Lively, T. Haley and J.O. Davis elementary schools and a new Travis Middle School. Proposition B would have replaced Irving High School. 

Propositions C and D addressed technology and facilities supporting student programs, respectively. Proposed technology work included network improvements, cybersecurity and replacement devices for students and employees.

Before the election, the district estimated that approval of all four propositions would increase the tax rate by 12.5 cents per $100 of taxable value, adding approximately $20.83 monthly for a $340,000 home with a $140,000 homestead exemption. 

Keller ISD: $828M rejected 

Keller ISD voters rejected all five propositions in an $828 million bond package, the district confirmed after the election. It was Keller’s first bond proposal since 2019. District officials said all five propositions could have been financed within the existing property tax rate. 

Proposition A requested approximately $756.3 million for maintenance, repairs and renovations involving 34 campuses and facilities. Projects included roofing, heating and cooling systems, plumbing, electrical work, code compliance and safety improvements. It also proposed a partial rebuild of Keller Middle School while preserving portions constructed through the 2019 bond program. 

Proposition B sought $28 million for student and employee devices, while Proposition C requested approximately $8.9 million for natatorium repairs. Propositions D and E addressed athletic complex and fieldhouse repairs and artificial turf projects, respectively. Keller officials said the identified facility and infrastructure needs remain and that they would evaluate how to address them following voters’ decision. 

Northside ISD: $886M rejected 

Northside ISD voters rejected three bond propositions totaling approximately $886 million, according to the San Antonio Express-News. The proposals covered facilities, technology and replacement of an aging natatorium. Proposition A, a separate three-cent operating tax increase, also failed. 

Proposition B sought approximately $764.7 million for facilities, buses and safety improvements. Proposed work included renovations and reconstruction, along with replacement fine arts facilities at Taft High School. Safety investments included security lobbies and fencing at multiple campuses. 

Propositions C and D addressed technology and aquatics, respectively.

Northside said the three bond propositions would not have changed its existing debt-service tax rate. The separate operating tax proposal would have generated approximately $45.5 million annually for expenses such as salaries and utilities. 

San Antonio ISD: $600M rejected 

San Antonio ISD voters rejected a $600 million bond package and a separate operating tax increase, according to the San Antonio Express-News. The district divided the capital request among three propositions. They addressed campus modernization and safety, information technology, and improvements to athletic and event facilities. 

Proposition B sought $492 million for school modernization, building systems, and security upgrades. Projects included replacing chillers, boilers, plumbing, roofs, and windows, along with improvements to learning spaces. The proposal also included buses with three-point seat belts, security fencing and vestibules, fire alarms, and accessibility improvements. 

Proposition C requested $102 million for network infrastructure and teaching and learning devices. Proposition D sought $6 million for improvements to Alamo Stadium and the Alamo Convocation Center. Those capital requests were separate from Proposition A, the proposed 3.17-cent increase in the district’s maintenance and operations tax rate. 

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