The law provides that a school district must hold an election and get permission from voters to sell bonds and to levy taxes to pay for them. Bonds are sold to provide funding for capital improvements that last for a number of years. Such investments are too large to be included in annual operating budgets. Just as an individual agrees to repay a new home loan, voters authorize the District to sell and repay bonds for making major capital improvements. School boards can only levy I&S taxes in the amount necessary to repay the bonds. If the amount needed to pay the bonds is less, the district taxes less.

State law (Texas Education Code § 45.003(b-1) and Election Code § 52.072(e)(1)(B)) require that all school bond propositions on the ballot include the statement “THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE”—However, the District anticipates no increase to the current tax rate for at least five years due to sound financial planning and debt restructuring.

For taxpayers age 65 and older

• Taxpayers who qualify for the Age 65 & Older Exemption already have their school district taxes frozen. These taxes will not increase as long as you live in the home and do not make significant improvements, such as adding a garage or additional living space.
• The Age 65 & Older Exemption reduces the taxable value of your home, which may lower your property taxes.
• In addition to the school district tax ceiling, other taxing entities—such as the City of San Antonio and the Alamo College District—also provide a tax ceiling for qualifying homeowners.

To qualify for the Age 65 & Older Exemption:

• You must be 65 years of age or older.
• You must own and live in the home.
• A surviving spouse, aged 55 or older at the time of the spouse’s passing, may continue the exemption if their spouse was claiming it at the time of passing.

The Facilities Steering Committee, a diverse steering committee made up of parents, staff, and community members, met over several months to study data and prioritize projects. This bond proposal is based on their recommendations. You can review the committee’s work here.

By law, the role for any school district during a bond election is to share factual information with the voters so the community may make an informed choice as to whether they wish to support or oppose a bond proposition. The district should also be responsive to citizens’ questions related to the bond issue and to ensure voters know when and where they have an opportunity to vote.

1. The Board of Trustees call for an election.
2. If bonds are approved by voters, bonds are sold to investors.
3. Proceeds are used for approved capital projects.
4. The tax rate is set in two parts: one to cover the operating costs (payroll, supplies, equipment, insurance, utilities, etc.) and the other to pay principal & interest due on the bonds each year.

Bond funds can be used to pay for new buildings, additions and renovations to existing buildings, land acquisition, technology, buses, and equipment, among other items. By law, bond funds may not be used to fund daily operating expenses, such as salaries or utilities, which are paid for out of the district’s Maintenance & Operation (M&O) budget.

In the State of Texas, the sale of bonds is the funding mechanism for school districts to raise funds for capital projects. When a district determines that it has needs beyond the capacity of the maintenance and operations budget, the Board of Trustees may call for a bond election. If voters approve the bond package, then bonds are issued to pay for the approved projects. NEISD does not receive assistance from the State of Texas to repay debt or build facilities.

Bond funds cannot be used for employee salaries. The Maintenance & Operations (M&O) tax rate funds the district’s day-to-day operations, including salaries.