Frequently Asked Questions 

A bond is similar to a home mortgage. It is a contract to repay borrowed money with interest over time. Bonds are sold by a school district to competing lenders to raise funds to pay for the costs of construction, renovations, and equipment. All school districts in Texas utilize bonds to finance renovations and new facilities.

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. 

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.

Actual property values are determined annually by local appraisal districts. School districts have no control over and do not set local property values.

The 2024 Kaufman ISD bond proposal is a detailed, community-driven plan developed by a committee of KISD stakeholders who met in a series of meetings from September 2023-January 2024. The committee was composed of representatives with various perspectives, including parents, grandparents, business leaders, students, civic leaders, educators, and KISD alumni. The committee spent their time reviewing and analyzing the aspects, histories, and projections of KISD’s demographics, growth and enrollment patterns, 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 May 2024 bond proposal that was presented to and unanimously approved by the KISD Board of Trustees.

No. By state law, Kaufman ISD property taxes on homesteads for citizens aged 65 or older would not be affected by the bond election as long as the appropriate exemption applications have been filed with the local appraisal district. Anyone who needs more information about the exemption should call the Kaufman Central Appraisal District at 972.932.6081 and ask for the Exemption Department or go to the appraisal district’s website at www.kaufman-cad.org.

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.

Constructed in 1981, the capacity of Phillips Elementary is 687 students. Current enrollment is 497 and is projected to increase to 800 students within ten years. The facilities at Phillips are aging, and this bond provides upgrades and renovations to extend the life of the school. The 2024 bond will provide a replacement of the existing gym along with interior renovations and upgrades, including flooring, ceilings, restrooms, doors, and library. Exterior renovations and upgrades include windows, canopies, parking lot drainage and improved traffic flow. Also included are mechanical, plumbing, and electrical upgrades or replacements. These renovations and upgrades are intended to address and accommodate current and future growth.

Helen Edwards Early Childhood Center is being addressed in this bond proposal to accommodate current growth. Originally constructed in 2003, the current capacity of the facility is 515, with 470 students currently enrolled this school year. Projections have Helen Edwards’ enrollment at over 775 students within the next 10 years. The 2024 Bond will provide a building extension to add additional classroom spaces, along with interior/exterior upgrades/replacement to safety & security systems as well as mechanical/plumbing/electrical upgrades/replacements.

The current Junior High building is at functional capacity and student enrollment is projected to grow to 1,565 within the next 10 years. A new comprehensive junior high will serve 1,200 students and be built in two phases. The current junior high building will be used to resolve existing capacity issues at the high school. 

Taxpayers pay a combined tax rate to KISD that supports two different funds. The maintenance and operations (M&O) tax rate funds the general operations of the District. This is like the part of a household budget that pays for utilities, food, clothing and gasoline. As schools are a people-intensive business, about 82% of these funds go to salary and personnel costs.

The interest and sinking tax rate (I&S), often called the debt service tax rate, funds the debt generated by the issuance of bonds. This is like the part of a household budget that pays for the home mortgage, the car loan or a financed expenditure for a computer or other large item. KISD must seek the approval of voters to authorize the issuance of bonds. Although voters approve the entire program, the bonds are only issued as school projects are needed rather than all at once.

The KISD I&S (debt service) tax rate that is used to pay for bonds is currently $0.3273 cents and is expected to increase by 17 cents for the projects proposed in the 2024 bond.

KISD has achieved the highest rating on the Financial Integrity Rating System (FIRST) for five consecutive years. The rating system is designed to ensure that Texas public schools are held accountable for the quality of their financial management practices. A Superior rating ensures that the district’s financial resources management is first class with the maximum allocation possible for direct instructional purposes.

Any future facility planning will include a blend of new construction and renovations of existing facilities. In some instances, current facilities are limited in renovation options due to outdated building materials and current code requirements.

Stakeholder feedback and questions can be submitted to communications@kaufman-isd.net.