What is a bond?
A bond is similar to a home mortgage. It is a contract to repay borrowed money with a stated interest rate over time. In Texas, most school districts utilize bonds to finance construction, renovations, and equipment.
How is this bond different from the May bond?
The November 2022 bond is focused on 1 project only – a middle school – and the total bond amount is lower.
Where would the school be built?
Years ago, the District purchased 61 acres on CR 460 for a future facility. This site is the preferred location for proposed campus and is large enough to accommodate a future expansion.
How long would it take to complete the school?
It takes 2-3 years to complete a project from bond passage to move in.
How is the District’s tax rate configured?
A school district’s tax rate is comprised of two tax rates: the Maintenance & Operations tax (M&O) and the Interest & Sinking tax (I&S). The M&O rate is used to operate the school district, including salaries, utilities, furniture, supplies, food, gas, etc. The I&S rate is used to pay off school bonds. Bond sales only affect the I&S rate. Coupland ISD’s total tax rate is $0.949708. The M&O portion is $0.8546 and the I&S portion is $0.095108.
When was the last successful bond election in Coupland ISD?
In 2019, voters approved the first bond in the history of the District. The bond totaled $5M and funded construction of new classrooms, a new administration, the new campus gym, security upgrades, infrastructure upgrades, and parent and bus drive improvements.
Will this bond increase taxes for over-65 voters?
No. If a homeowner receives the Age-65 Freeze on his or her homestead, the school taxes are frozen and cannot be raised above the frozen level unless significant improvements beyond normal repairs or maintenance are made to the home. Examples of a “significant improvement” would be adding a garage, building a game room, or adding a swimming pool to your property.
Have the proposed projects been designed yet?
No. The square footages and estimated costs have been determined, but the design would happen after voter approval with teacher, staff, and administrator input on how to best implement Coupland ISD’s program goals.
Can bond money be used to pay teacher salaries or give teachers a raise?
By law, bond funds cannot be used for payroll expenses or any daily operational costs such as utilities, supplies, fuel, and insurance. Instead, bond funds can only be used for new buildings, additions and renovations, land acquisition, technology infrastructure and equipment, or school buses.
What happens if the bond fails?
The Board would revise the proposal and try again in the future. In the meantime, the Administration would address growth as student enrollment requires. More portable classrooms will be purchased.
Who can vote in this bond election?
Anyone at least 18 years of age and living within the boundaries of Coupland ISD is eligible to vote. You must be registered by Tuesday, October 11 in order to participate in this election.
How do I know if I’m registered to vote?
You can check your voter registration status at www.votetexas.gov.
If you need to update your address, you can simply fill out the change online.
How will the ballot be worded?
There will be 1 proposition. Voters will vote “for” or “against.”
Proposition A will read:
THE ISSUANCE OF $56,000,000 OF BONDS BY THE COUPLAND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR SCHOOL FACILITIES AND SITES FOR SCHOOL BUILDINGS AND LEVYING THE TAX IN PAYMENT THEREOF. THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.