FAQ

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. Most 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. 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 or home improvement loan for their home. A school board calls a bond election so voters can decide whether they agree to pay for proposed projects. The last bond referendum in Arlington ISD successfully passed in 2019.

The Arlington Independent School District Board of Trustees has unanimously called for a bond election to be held on May 2, 2026, for voter consideration. The proposal is based on recommendations from the community-led Steering Committee, following several months of study and review of district facilities and programs. The board approved the election order during its February 5th meeting.

The bond proposal consists of three propositions aimed at improving districtwide facilities, programs, and infrastructure. Proposition A, totaling $438,755,000, focuses on major facility upgrades, including ADA and life-safety improvements, modernization and renovations of existing schools, construction of two replacement elementary schools, classroom and capital improvements, academic equipment enhancements for fine arts and special education, safety and security upgrades, and transportation improvements. Proposition B, at $30,955,000, provides for district technology advancements such as updated student and staff devices, lifecycle equipment replacements, cybersecurity modernization, and telecommunications and infrastructure upgrades. Proposition C, totaling $31,565,000, funds athletic improvements for secondary schools, including the installation, replacement, and upgrading of synthetic turf and other athletic equipment.

New legislation instituted in 2019 requires public school districts to separate specific scopes of work in a proposed Bond Referendum.

Arlington ISD’s proposed 2026 Bond includes funding to build two replacement elementary schools, including one to replace South Davis Elementary. The second campus has not yet been identified to allow for more in-depth analysis of enrollment trends. Initial demographic and facility studies support the second replacement elementary, and now a second independent demographer is reviewing the data to ensure the district makes the most informed choice for students and the community. Based on current enrollment trends, it is likely the second replacement school would consolidate two existing campuses into one modern facility – just like what voters approved in the 2019 Bond. That bond funded the consolidation of Thornton and Knox into a new Thornton Elementary, as well as Berry and Roark into a new Berry Elementary.

Bond funds can be used to pay for new buildings, additions and renovations to existing facilities, land acquisition, technology infrastructure, transportation costs and vehicles, 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.

A bond election in Texas allows voters to decide whether a local government may borrow money for a specific purpose. Cities, counties, and school districts use bond debt to finance new schools, highways, bridges, bikeways, fire stations, parks, and other infrastructure. A bond is a debt security issued by a local government and bought by investors in exchange for a promise of future repayment and interest. Local governments in Texas typically repay bond debt through an ad valorem tax. That tax is pledged against the debt. Arlington ISD has the third lowest debt-per capita of all districts in Region 11.

Public schools in Texas are generally funded from two separate (independently managed) funding mechanisms: Maintenance & Operations/M&O (for electric bills, teacher salaries, general maintenance, etc.) and Interest & Sinking/I&S (for new construction, larger building renovations, technology assets, buses, land, etc.).

Based on current financial projections and existing debt obligations, the proposed bond projects can be funded with an estimated one-cent increase to Arlington ISD’s current tax rate. State law mandates all bond materials must state, “THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.” However, eligible senior homeowners will not pay more than their frozen tax amount. Arlington ISD taxes are frozen for homeowners 65+ who have properly filed for the homestead exemption with Tarrant County. Approval of this bond would not result in an increase above the frozen amount.

To participate in the May 2, 2026, bond election, individuals must reside within Arlington ISD boundaries and be registered to vote in Tarrant County by April 2, 2026. Voter registration status may be confirmed at VoteTexas.gov. Registered voters may cast ballots at any polling location in Tarrant County. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day, Saturday, May 2, 2026. Early voting by personal appearance will take place from Monday, April 20, 2026, through Tuesday, April 28, 2026.