Trustees Call Maintenance and Efficiency Bond Election

Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024

Projects at every campus recommended by Community Advisory Committee

HPISD has not held a school bond election since 2015.

District residents will have the opportunity to vote on a single proposition bond proposal totaling $137.3 million dollars.

Projects for every campus include:

Immediate Maintenance
and Safety Needs

Budget and Compensation
Optimization

Property Acquisition

Campus and District
Improvements

The proposed bond will not increase the tax rate

and would address failing facility systems, immediate repairs, safety and security updates, and make more funds available to increase teacher salaries.
Funding specific projects through bonds, instead of the regular budget, saves more money in the general fund for teacher and staff salaries. In fact, some of the projects, such as LED lighting upgrades, software used to manage district assets, and extracurricular buses, among others, will save an estimated $2.5 million dollars annually in operation costs once the projects are fully implemented.
PROP A

$137.3 million in districtwide projects prioritized for maintenance and safety, with initiatives at every HPISD campus.

Project Costs Summary

Immediate Maintenance
and Safety Needs

Immediate needs include: fencing, door access readers, emergency call buttons, police vehicle, security and fire alarm upgrades, security software, HVAC, roofs, plumbing, flooring, electrical systems, sump pump replacement, restroom renovations, and kitchen improvements.

Budget and Compensation Optimization

Funding specific projects through bonds, instead of the regular operating budget, saves more money in the general fund for teacher and staff salaries. In fact, some of the projects, such as LED lighting upgrades, software used to manage district assets, and extracurricular buses, among others, will save an estimated $2.5 million dollars annually in operation costs once the projects are fully implemented.

Property
Acquisition

Highland Park ISD has a limited footprint compared to other area school districts. Funds for property acquisition would be used to purchase land for future HPISD facilities or needs and provide additional parking at the high school.

Campus and District
Improvements

Campus and district priorities include items such as a kitchen and serving line expansion at the high school, aging instrument replacement for our band and orchestra programs, auditorium improvements at secondary complexes, the addition of artificial turf at HPMS, along with funds for upgrades and safety enhancements at all campuses.

FINANCE FACTS

School Upgrades
It’s been nearly a decade since HPISD has asked voters to consider a school bond election. A recent needs assessment revealed that numerous HPISD systems have reached the end of their life cycle. As a result, projects that have been identified for the Nov. 5 election would impact every HPISD school and student.
Proposed Projects Can Be Funded With Existing School Tax Rate
Texas law mandates that all school bond ballots state “THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE,” even if the local tax rate remains the same. Despite required ballot wording indicating the bond is a tax increase, the proposed Nov. 5 election would not require a change in the existing tax rate. The proposed projects can be funded using HPISD’s existing tax rate. Texas law mandates that all school bond ballots state “this is a property tax increase,” even if the local tax rate remains the same. Despite required ballot wording indicating the bond is a tax increase, the proposed Nov. 5 election would not require a change in the existing tax rate.
No Tax Rate Increase
Approval of the proposition would not increase the tax rate because Highland Park ISD regularly retires past debts and pays off some debt early. Plus, the district’s tax base continues to grow... and if you’re 65 or older your Highland Park ISD taxes won't increase because your school taxes are frozen.
School Budgets Made Up Of Two Main Parts
School budgets and tax rates are made up primarily of two parts: Maintenance and Operations, commonly referred to as M&O and Interest and Sinking, also known as I&S or debt service. Shifting facility costs from M&O to I&S will allow HPISD to prioritize and increase teacher salaries and benefits.
HPISD Earns Top Ratings
HPISD is one of only three public school districts in the state of Texas to earn the highest bond ratings Aaa/AAA by two major ratings agencies. This helps HPISD take advantage of better interest rates for borrowing and repaying debt down early.

Bond Funds Stay Local

In 2023-24, the state recaptured $0.58 of every dollar HPISD collects from taxpayers for maintenance and operations. However, 100% of all the money raised by a bond election stays in Highland Park ISD under local control because bond money is not subject to recapture.

Citizens Help Shape Nov. 5 Bond Proposal

Parents, staff and community leaders guide project recommendations

The Community Advisory Committee was charged with evaluating the district’s capital improvement needs and providing input and guidance to the Board of Trustees on the development of a bond package to address such needs. The group met during the Spring 2024 semester from February through April and ultimately recommended the Board of Trustees consider a $130 million to $140 million bond package, to address immediate capital improvement needs and make more funds available to increase teacher salaries. The recommendation from the committee will not result in a tax rate increase.

  • Mr. Robert F. Begert
  • Mrs. Rebecca Bell
  • Mr. Benjamin Carpenter
  • Mr. Brad Cheves
  • Mr. Pete Chilian
  • Mr. Dallas Cothrum
  • Mr. Michael Denton Jr., Committee Chair
  • Mrs. Elizabeth Gambrell
  • Mrs. Margo Goodwin
  • Mr. Robert T. Halpin
  • Mr. Peter Hegi
  • Mrs. Leslie Kibby
  • Mr. Thomas Laughlin
  • Ms. Connie O’Neill
  • Mr. Nick Peters
  • Mr. Peter Pincoffs
  • Mr. Paul Rowsey
  • Mrs. Elizabeth Speicher
  • Mrs. Claire Swope
  • Mr. Price Wagner
  • Mrs. Jane Wallingford
  • Mr. Clinton Warren
  • Mrs. Stephanie Wilson

Meeting One (2-27-24)

Meeting Two (3-5-24)

Meeting Three (3-21-24)

Meeting Four (3-26-24)

Meeting Five (4-4-24)

Meeting Six (4-9-24)

MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT

Early voting offers flexibility and convenience

HPISD is committed to sharing facts about the proposed Nov. 5 school bond election. Our goal is to inform the families in the Highland Park community and encourage eligible voters to participate in the election process.

Register to Vote

by Monday, Oct. 7

Register here

Vote Early

at any Dallas County polling site between
Oct. 21 - Nov. 1

Election Day Voting

7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 5

DISTRICT SHARES BOND FACTS

Highland Park ISD families are encouraged to learn how the proposed bond package will impact students, programs, and facilities. Please review the additional materials below or feel free to submit a bond question directly to the school district.

Frequently Asked Questions
HPISD 2024 Bond Video
HPISD 2024 Bond Handout
Bond Presentation
Submit a Bond Question
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