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
$137.3 million in districtwide projects prioritized for maintenance and safety, with initiatives at every HPISD campus.
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
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)
- Community Advisory Committee Presentation
- Financing Considerations RBC Capital Markets 2-27-24
- HPISD Strategic Plan Balanced Scorecard
Meeting Two (3-5-24)
Meeting Three (3-21-24)
Meeting Four (3-26-24)
Meeting Five (4-4-24)
- Community Advisory Committee Presentation
- Financing Considerations RBC
- Preliminary Project Planning – Estimated Costs – CAC Rankings
Meeting Six (4-9-24)
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.
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.