Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
2014 BOND FAQ #1:
Q. What is a Bond Election?
A. Texas public schools rely on the support of local taxpayers to fund the construction and improvement of school facilities. Similar to homeowners borrowing money in the form of a mortgage to finance the purchase of a home, a school district borrows money in the form of bonds to finance the design, construction, expansion and renovation of schools and district facilities. Bonds are approved by voters in a Bond Election and then sold to investors in the competitive investment market.
BOND FAQ #2:
Q. What can Bond money be used for?
A. The law restricts how a district can spend bond revenues. Bond revenues can only be used for capital equipment or improvements such as new construction, renovation projects, furniture, library books, computers and network technology, school buses or other vehicles and similar items. By law, bond proceeds cannot be used for recurring costs such as teacher salaries and benefits, utilities, insurance or other operating expenses. The bonds are repaid through a portion of the taxes paid by property owners.
BOND FAQ #3:
Q. Why does state law separate a school district's taxes into two parts and what is the intended purpose for each?
A. Under Texas law, school districts are allowed to levy a tax for maintenance and operations (M&O), and a tax for debt service to finance capital improvements (I&S). State law limits the ability to utilize M&O taxes for capital expenditures such as facilities, buses, etc. The regular operating budget of a school district (M&O) includes the day-to-day operating costs for the district, such as instructional costs, teacher and staff salaries, administrative costs, supplies, utilities, maintenance, etc.
BOND FAQ #4:
Q. If approved, how does the bond process work?
A. Bond elections are presented to voters in the form of a ballot proposition to either approve or deny the school the ability to issue and sell an amount of bonds. If approved by voters, the district can issue and sell an amount of bonds, in one or more installments, to construct, renovate and equip facilities within the district and to purchase any necessary sites for facilities. Bonds are offered in the public market to potential investors at competitive market rates. The proceeds from the bond sale are deposited into a construction fund to pay for the construction and related costs of the proposed projects.
If the bond passes, NISD will be setting up a group of school representatives and community members to provide some oversight on the construction process. Liken it to a checks and balances on the quality of, and the process through which, the product is built. It's OUR commitment to keeping our community abreast of the process.
BOND FAQ #5:
Q. Have other districts similar to Navasota ISD passed bond elections in recent years? This seems like a lot of money?
A. A quality education and quality facilities are an investment in our community and our FUTURE. Other school districts who surround Navasota and have in recent years invested in their future are: Iola ($11 million), College Station ($83.5 million), Waller ($49.2 million), and Anderson-Shiro ISD ($31 million), among others.
BOND FAQ #6:
Q. What new upgrades and renovations to academic campus facilities are proposed in the upcoming bond election for Navasota ISD?
A. Proposition 1 includes maintenance upgrades (HVAC, roofing, electrical, plumbing, furnishings) to all campuses in the district, securing and classroom additions at High Point Elementary, security, parking, playground, and parent drop-off improvements at John C. Webb Elementary, security, classroom additions, and PE facility renovation at Navasota Intermediate, classroom additions and renovation at Navasota Junior High/HS and a new High School career, technology, and fine arts addition.
BOND FAQ #7:
Q. What new upgrades and renovations are proposed in Proposition 2 in the upcoming bond election for Navasota ISD?
A. Proposition 2 includes upgrades and renovations to both Brosig Auditorium and the Administration Building. At Brosig, we are looking at maintenance & electrical, lighting, technology, and accessibility improvements to the restrooms, stage area, and other ways to make our public facility ADA compliant. At the Administration Building, we are looking to preserve a part of Navasota's history with similar upgrades in order to further increase function and accessibility for everyone in the district.