EFISD Bond 2024: FAQs
Q: WHAT IS A BOND ELECTION?
A: School districts are required by state law to ask voters for permission to sell bonds to investors in order to raise the capital dollars required for projects such as renovation to existing buildings or building a new school. Essentially, the voters are giving permission for the District to take out a loan and pay that loan back over an extended period of time, much like a family takes out a mortgage loan for their home. A school board calls a bond election so voters can decide whether or not they want to pay for proposed facility projects. School boards then have the authority to sell bonds when facilities are needed.
Q: HOW CAN BOND MONEY BE SPENT?
A: 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.
Q: HOW DOES SCHOOL FUNDING WORK IN TEXAS?
A: Texas school districts are funded by three major sources: Federal, State, and Local. Two factors drive school finance in Texas: enrollment, and local property values. A school district tax rate has two distinct components which added together make up the annual school tax rate:
Maintenance and Operations (M&O) funds are used to fund the day-to-day operations of a school district, including teacher and staff salaries; utilities; student services and curriculum; professional development; and facility maintenance and management.
Interest and Sinking (I&S) funds are generated from the sale of voter-approved bonds. These funds are restricted for use only for projects such as the construction of new facilities; additions and renovations to existing facilities; safety and security projects; and purchase of capital expense items such as buses and large technology expenses.
School property taxes are set by an annual M&O plus I&S tax rate approved by the district’s Board of Trustees.
Q: WHO DETERMINES MY PROPERTY VALUE?
A: Actual property values are determined annually by local appraisal districts. School districts, including Elysian Fields ISD, have no control over and do not set local property values.
Q: IF I AM 65 OR OLDER, WILL MY TAXES INCREASE?
A: No. Taxes are “frozen” for taxpayers age 65 and over or disabled persons under the Homestead Exemption application. These taxpayers see no increase in their tax rate as a result of a school bond election.
Q: WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE CURRENT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IF EFISD BOND 2024 PASSES?
A: The current elementary school will be repurposed to house the district’s Transportation Department, which is currently located behind Elysian Fields High School.
Q: WHY IS THE FIELD HOUSE DEMOLITION/REPLACEMENT IN A SEPARATE PROPOSITION FROM THE OTHER PROJECTS IN BOND 2024?
A: Due to legislation adopted during the 86th Texas Legislature in 2019, school districts must separate facilities and projects in bond proposals by classifications of “general” and “special” purpose facilities. Projects that include stadiums with a capacity of 1,000 or more spectators, natatoriums, recreational facilities other than gymnasiums, playgrounds or play areas, performing arts facilities, teacher housing, or certain classifications of technology, must now be presented as a separate proposition from facilities that are considered of “general” use.
Q: HOW WILL THE RECENT INCREASE IN THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION AFFECT MY TAXES?
A: By more than doubling the current homestead exemption, state lawmakers have reduced your overall school property tax burden by replacing that local revenue with state financial resources. By taking another $60,000 off the taxable value of property, the change in the homestead exemption will save homeowners an estimated $600 to $900 a year, permanently.
Q: MAY I VOTE ON BOTH PROPOSITIONS?
A: Yes! Voters may cast a vote on BOTH propositions in EFISD Bond 2024. You do not have to choose between the two.
Q: HOW WAS THE BOND DEVELOPED?
A: The 2024 Elysian Fields ISD bond proposal is the product of a detailed, community-driven, long-range facility plan developed by a committee of EFISD stakeholders who met in a series of meetings from July 2023 - September 2023. The committee was composed of representatives with various perspectives, including parents, grandparents, business leaders, students, civic leaders, volunteers, retirees, educators, and EFSD alumni. The committee spent their time reviewing and analyzing the aspects, histories, and projections of Elysian Fields ISD’s district finances, educational programs, and thorough discussions of both the immediate and long-term needs of the district. As a result of this process, the committee formed a recommendation for a Long Range Facility Plan for Elysian Fields ISD and presented it to the EFISD Board of Trustees in October of 2023. The trustees took this recommendation and have developed a bond proposal to present to EFISD voters in May of 2024.
Q: AS A RECAPTURE DISTRICT, HOW MUCH MONEY DOES EFISD HAVE TO RETURN TO THE STATE FROM A BOND ELECTION?
A. Zero! As a district under the state’s “Robin Hood” recapture program, EFISD sends millions of taxpayer dollars back to the state every year. This money comes from the district’s annual Maintenance & Operations budget. However, bond funds are NOT subject to recapture; meaning every single dollar generated through a bond program will stay in EFISD.