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.

  • To accommodate in-District growth, increase student capacity, and relieve overcrowding at all campuses
  • To expand academic and CTE course offerings
  • To improve extracurricular spaces

London ISD’s student population increased 54% since the 2015-16 school year.  Demographers forecast in-District growth of 400 more students in the next 3 years and a total enrollment of around 2600 in-District students by the 2030-31 school year.

Proposition A:  Additions and renovations to all campuses, infrastructure improvements, land acquisition, and a future elementary campus
Proposition B:  Upgrades and improvements to the stadium complex
Proposition C:  Technology and connectivity upgrades

This bond will increase total district capacity by 80%, which should accommodate projected in-District enrollment growth based on the latest demographic report.

Since the completion of the 2017 bond projects, the Administration has continued to follow the demographic changes in our District and the impact on our campus capacities.  For the past year, a Facilities Advisory Committee consisting of parents and staff have also been meeting to provide additional input to the London ISD Board of Trustees on matters related to facilities, grounds, infrastructure, and parking.   The bond timing and proposed projects are a result of these planning efforts.

Phase 1 of the bond will focus on additions and improvements to existing facilities with the goal of increasing student capacity.  It is estimated that Phase 1 projects will be completed by summer 2024.

Phase 2 would be construction of a new elementary campus on a new site.  The Board will determine the exact timing of the project based on in-District enrollment growth and campus capacity, but it is anticipated that the new elementary school project would begin after completion of Phase 1.

 

Utilizing our demographic report, the proposed bond is a comprehensive plan to address student enrollment growth through 2028-29.

The bonds will be sold in phases, as enrollment dictates, with the District’s bond capacity increasing as more residents move into London ISD.  In other words, as more people move into London ISD, the District will have more bond capacity to fund all the facility projects included in this bond.

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.  London ISD’s current tax rate is $1.200740, which is 11.686 cents lower than last year’s rate.

The cost for all 3 propositions would be no more than $60.88/month for a $350,000 London ISD home.
The cost for Prop B only (without Prop A or C) would be about $25.21/month for a $350,000 London ISD home.
The cost for Prop C only (without Prop A or B) would be about $2.49/month for a $350,000 London ISD home.

In 2017, voters approved an $18,000,000 bond to add onto the High School/Middle School as well as construct the Elementary School.

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.

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 London ISD’s program goals.

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.

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.

Yes. The projects would be phased for minimal disruptions to the learning environment.  The District has had several campuses renovated during the school year over the last several years, and our administration will create a plan to maintain student and staff safety.

Anyone at least 18 years of age by May 7, 2022 and living within the boundaries of London ISD is eligible to vote.  You must be registered by Thursday, April 7 in order to participate in this election.

You can check your voter registration status at www.votetexas.gov.

There will be 3 separate propositions on the ballot.  Voters will choose “for” or “against” each one.

Proposition A will read:
THE ISSUANCE OF $79,450,000 OF BONDS BY THE LONDON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR SCHOOL FACILITIES, AND THE LEVYING OF A TAX IN PAYMENT THEREOF. THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.

Proposition B will read:
THE ISSUANCE OF $15,180,000 OF BONDS BY THE LONDON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR A SCHOOL STADIUM COMPLEX, AND THE LEVYING OF A TAX IN PAYMENT THEREOF. THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.

Proposition C will read:
THE ISSUANCE OF $1,500,000 OF BONDS BY THE LONDON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY IMPROVEMENTS, AND THE LEVYING OF A TAX IN PAYMENT THEREOF. THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.