Bridgeport ISD Bond 2023

Finance Facts

This means the owner of an average $250,000 home would see a $51.33 monthly increase.

Homeowners 65 years of age and older will see ZERO tax rate increase if they have filed for their senior citizen homestead exemption.

  • Bonds will not be sold until the funds are required for a capital project.
  • Short-term projects will be financed only through short term bonds.

Enter the appraised value of your home: $ example 175000 (no commas or dollar signs)

If all propositions of the Bond pass, your projected tax increase would be per month.

 

Exemptions: Tax impacts calculated based on Home Value after $40,000 State Homestead Exemption. For example a $200,000 home value has a taxable value of $160,000. The tax amount from this page is an estimate and not an official quote.

Voters 65 and Over: Under state law, if you have applied for and received the Age 65 Freeze on your homestead, your school taxes cannot be raised above their frozen level unless you make significant improvements or additions to your home.

Have a question?
Email bond2023@bridgeportisd.net

Understanding how public school finance works

A school district’s total tax rate is primarily funded by local property taxes and made up of two parts: Maintenance and Operations (M&O) rate and Interest and Sinking (I&S) rate. Each has a designated purpose and budget.

The M&O budget is used for the daily operations of the district: utilities, salaries, supplies, food and gas, etc.

The I&S budget is used to repay debt for capital improvements through voter approved bonds: new construction, renovations, additions, HVAC and roofing replacements, electrical systems safety and security and technology, etc.

Bond elections only affect the I&S tax rate. Proceeds from a bond CANNOT be used as part of the M&O budget, or to increase salaries.

Under state law, as long as a homestead and over 65 exemption application have been filed with the local appraisal district, the dollar amount of school taxes imposed on the residence homestead of a person 65 years of age or older cannot be increased above the amount paid in the first year after the person turned 65 – regardless of changes in tax rate or property value – unless significant improvements are made to the home, increasing the overall value.

While Bridgeport ISD’s tax rate is the lowest in 31 years, home values have risen. So does this mean Bridgeport ISD receives more total revenue as a result? No. The Texas school finance system creates an inverse relationship between property value increases and state revenue. So, the Bridgeport ISD Maintenance & Operations budget does not benefit from increased tax value growth, but rather the state benefits by lowering its contribution to the District. The system creates a situation where taxpayers pay more in local property taxes while the state pays less.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Bridgeport ISD administrators solicit the input of local citizens before developing the bond package?

To manage the age of BISD facilities, the Board of Trustees commissioned a Long-Range Facility Planning Committee in 2022 and asked them to study the district’s needs and make a recommendation on how to manage the age of our facilities. The diverse committee comprised of parents, grandparents, teachers, and business and community leaders from across Bridgeport ISD reviewed financial data, current academic needs and projected student growth.

Was every facility in the school district reviewed during the committee process?

Yes. With the goal of making sure we impact every kid in every school, our Committee reviewed every school in the district.

When were our current facilities built?
  • Bridgeport Elementary – 2005
  • Bridgeport Intermediate – 1969
  • Bridgeport Middle School – 1957
  • Bridgeport High School – 1993
  • Alternative Learning Center – 1957
Is Bridgeport ISD growing?

Bridgeport ISD’s current student enrollment is 2,054. Each year we enlist the support of professional demographers who specialize in projecting student enrollment for school districts. Per their report, we expect to grow to 2,831 students by 2032.

What propositions will be on the May ballot?

The proposition in May would provide $185 million dollars for a new school, renovations and additions to current schools in response to our aging facilities. This would include:

  • Bridgeport Middle School: Demolishing the original structure of Bridgeport Middle School and building a new building behind the existing building
  • CTE: Updated equipment, technology, and facilities for our Career and Technical Education programs at the high school
  • Elementary Campus: A second, Grades K-5 elementary school
  • Capital Improvements: Updates to HVAC, roofing, interior and exterior finishes, lighting, and playground equipment
  • Transportation: This proposition would also allow us to purchase new buses to maintain a safe and modern fleet
  • High School Auditorium: Addition of a 500 seat auditorium at the high school for the educational use of all students
  • Fine Arts Equipment Upgrades: Sound system in Auditorium at Middle School, Communication technology between light booth and backstage, Acoustical treatment for Middle School auditorium, Changing facility, uniforms, instrument replacement, dance floor
  • Field Safety Cover: A covered, 110 yard turfed field that is covered and grounded for the safety and security of our students, especially extreme weather
  • Bull Memorial Stadium Upgrades: Safety improvements to the turf, safety improvements to the track, renovated bathrooms & concession stands to make code compliant and ensure safety and security for workers and patrons, improvement of parking and lighting to ensure safety and security for all users
  • Baseball/Softball/Tennis Courts Upgrades: Add four Tennis Courts and Restroom/Storage facility, lighting for new courts and upgrade existing lighting, new turf for Baseball Field, address drainage for Baseball Field, new turf for Softball Field, update concession stands
  • Safety and Security Upgrades: Vehicle Gates and Road Bumps (all campuses), Vehicle Tag/Decal System, Security Vestibule Improvements (all campuses), Door Hardware & Lock Upgrades, Window Film – Entry Resistant, Access Control Additions, Surveillance Camera Upgrades, Radio Interoperability (district-wide), ADA compliance at BMS (ramp), Intercom System Upgrades (secondary) and fencing
  • Transportation: Replacement Schedule for school buses, Entrance Gate, Building Access Control, Fuel Management System, Parking Lot Replacement, Bus Radios (Interopability)
What is going to be the tax impact of the bond package on Bridgeport ISD taxpayers?

 If the bond proposition is approved, it is expected to result in a 29.33 cent tax increase for some voters. Financial advisors estimate the bond could cost the average BISD homeowner of a $250,000 house, $51.33 per month.

Upon approval of the bond referendum, is the entire amount issued all at once?

No. The district will only issue bonds to cover the cost of projects at the time they are needed and approved by the School Board. Short-term projects will be financed only through short-term bonds.

What will be the impact on senior citizens in the district?

Homeowners 65 years of age and older will see no increase in their property tax rate now or in the future if they have filed for their senior citizen homestead exemption.

Should voters approve the bond package, does the district have policies in place to make sure our tax dollars are spent efficiently?

Yes. Our team of financial professionals will keep a close eye on the spending approved by voters with an emphasis on a “best practices approach.” Bridgeport ISD earned the highest ranking from the state’s Financial Integrity Rating System, a score of 100 and a rating of “Superior.”

Who do we contact if we want more information about the bond referendum?

For more information, please contact the district at bond2023@bridgeportisd.net or (940)683-5124. Our mission is to be transparent and will do our best to thoroughly answer any questions you may have.

 

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