The Birdville Independent School District is asking voters to approve a $475.5 million bond package in May to fund safety and security upgrades and additions, and renovations and replacements of facilities and schools across the district.

The bond proposal will not require a tax increase, according to the district.

The proposed bond projects will impact every campus across the district and focus on three key priorities: safety and security, learning environments, instructional technology and operational efficiencies, according to the district.

The bond proposal includes two propositions, A and B. Each proposition has a different budget and targets different areas of need in the school district. Voters can approve or disapprove of either or both of the propositions.

Birdville ISD bond Proposition A is for facility upgrades and security improvements, totaling $453,340,500. Proposition B is for technology and totals $22,147,000.

Here are some of the projects outlined in the bond proposal:

Add new security cameras and access card readers

Update fire alarm systems according to replacement schedules

Replace aging buses 

Replace high school amenities/resources such as field turf, outdoor lighting and physical education equipment

Expansions and renovations for program growth at Birdville Center of Technology and Advanced Learning

New partner middle school combining Watauga and North Oaks campuses

Rebuild Hardeman Elementary School on a site within the existing attendance zone

Rebuild Smithfield Middle School, retaining the existing science wing and main gym

Replace the band hall at North Ridge Middle School

Renovate/update Birdville High School Auditorium

Upgrade student and teacher devices, classroom equipment, and technology network infrastructure

Construct an appropriately-sized auxiliary support center to house the transportation and maintenance departments

Critical maintenance and system upgrades

Election Day is May 2, with early voting running from Monday, April 20, through Tuesday, April 28.

For more information, visit the Birdville ISD bond information website.

HOW ARE TEXAS SCHOOL DISTRICTS FUNDED?

Texas school districts are funded by three sources: Federal money, state money and local taxes. Local taxes comprise two tax rates, Maintenance and Operations (M&O) and Interest and Sinking (I&S), set by the school board. M&O is the money used to pay for the day-to-day operations of a school district, including salaries and professional development, utilities, curriculum, building maintenance, and student services. I&S is the money generated from bonds to pay for new buildings, renovations, security, buses and other large expenses. The I&S tax rate is used to repay the bonds. Funding approved for M&O and I&S projects can’t be mixed.

HOW CAN BOND MONEY BE SPENT?

Bond money can only be spent on capital projects like new buildings, renovations, security upgrades, land acquisition, and other non-recurring costs. It can’t be spent on salaries, staff, utilities, fuel, or other recurring costs. The money repaid from a bond will include interest over time, generally 30 years. Many districts try to repay their bonds early to save on the interest obligation.

WHAT IS A VATRE?

VATRE stands for Voter Approval Tax Rate Elections. If a district needs to increase funding for salaries, daily operating expenses, or other recurring costs, then they have to ask voters to approve of an increase of the M&O Voter Approved Tax Rate (VATR). Many districts hold VATREs to increase M&O funding because they have a deficit. Prior to the 2025 legislative session, state legislators went six years without increasing funding for schools, and with inflation and the addition of unfunded mandates, such as adding an armed officer on each campus, many school districts say they are strapped for cash.

‘THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE’

A state law requires Texas school districts to include the statement, “This is a property tax increase,” on every ballot proposition. That is true even if the proposition does not increase the tax rate. In their proposals, many Texas school districts say they can issue bonds without increasing the I&S rate. This is often done by taking on new bond debt as old, declining debt is paid off. Read the district’s proposal thoroughly to understand whether voting for the bond package will result in a tax rate change. Even without an increase in the tax rate, changes in property tax appraisals could result in a larger tax bill for the property owner.