The Board of Trustees unanimously approved a $385 million bond election to address calls for updates to classrooms, safety equipment, and building upgrades. The bond election comes after months of work by the Facilities Advisory Committee, a group of community members, parents, and staff, who reviewed data, met with district officials, and developed a list of recommendations for the Board to consider. Every recommendation from the committee’s work was included in the final project list for the bond election.

No. Last year’s election and this year’s election are two totally different tools in the school funding toolbox.

A Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE), like we had last year, deals with the district’s Maintenance & Operations (M&O) budget. That’s basically the day-to-day operating fund for things like salaries, utilities, and supplies. When voters approved last year’s VATRE, all of the additional funds went straight to staff salaries. It didn’t fund new buildings, technology, or facility upgrades, just people and operations.

A Bond Election, which is what we’re asking voters to consider this year, is more like taking out a home improvement loan, except for schools. The money can only be spent on the projects listed in the bond proposition, such as safety upgrades, new or renovated classrooms, and updated technology for campuses. It cannot be used for teacher salaries or routine expenses, and every dollar is legally restricted to those voter-approved projects.  Bond Elections are the primary means by which Texas school districts fund major renovations and upgrades to buildings.

Bonds aren’t just for building new schools. They also fund important projects like upgrading existing facilities, repairing aging infrastructure, improving technology, and enhancing safety. This proposed bond doesn’t include any new schools, but it does set aside funds to prepare for the possible opening of Wildhorse Elementary in the future.

Right now, the Wildhorse building is being used for other district programs. In 2 to 3 years, depending on how quickly new housing is built in the area, those programs may need to move so the campus can open as an elementary school. If housing development slows down or plans change, the District has the flexibility to not issue that portion of the bond or spend the money, saving taxpayers from unnecessary costs.

The total amount of the proposed bond package is $384.5 million, and it’s broken up into three propositions. 

• Prop A is dedicated to campus upgrades and safety. 
• Prop B is dedicated to technology for scholars and staff, and
• Prop C is for a visual[HA1]  arts addition at the Manor High School Complex. 

The proposal will impact every student and staff member in Manor ISD and includes safety equipment for middle and high schools, upgrades at campuses and major renovations for Bluebonnet Trail Elementary, Decker Elementary and Blake Manor Elementary and Manor New Tech High School, who would also receive additions. ShadowGlen Elementary would also receive an additional wing to accommodate growth in the Northeast of the district, saving taxpayers from needing to build an additional elementary for some time.  The Manor HS Complex will receive an additional wing to allow all MHS Mustangs to be on the same campus for the first time in many years.

If approved, bond funds are intended to be used for the following projects. 

Prop A Projects 

• Purchasing New and Additional Security Cameras
• Access Control (Badging System) Upgrades
• Network Infrastructure and Security To Support Panic Buttons and Emergency Communication PA Systems
• Class Translation System 
• Blake Manor Elementary School Renovations and Upgrades
• Bluebonnet Trail Elementary School Renovations and Upgrades
• Decker Elementary School Renovations and Upgrades
• Shadowglen Elementary School Classroom Addition 
• Child Development Center Upgrades at Wildhorse ES 
• Manor High School Renovation For Special Education 18+ Program 
• Manor High School Renovations To House Manor Excel Academy (MEA) and Manor Alternative Placement (MAP) In The Future 
• Manor New Tech High School Renovations and Additions To Increase Capacity to 1,200 Students
• Manor High  School Complex Addition to Increase capacity for all Mustangs
• Renovate the former Manor ES and MEELC site for Admin and student programs to allow MNTHS to expand to the existing administration building.
• Maintenance Building Expansion and Renovation
• Districtwide Maintenance and 5-year Renewal Projects (Roofs, HVAC, etc.)
• Purchase of New Buses

Prop B Projects

• New Devices For Scholars and Staff Districtwide for the next 5 years

Prop C Projects

• Performing Arts Addition at the Manor High School Complex

A “Rainy Day Fund” is another term for the district’s fund balance. It is essentially the district’s savings account. Just like a family’s savings, these funds are set aside to cover unexpected expenses, emergencies, or to help the district manage cash flow between state funding payments.

While rainy day aka fund balances can theoretically be used to cover repairs and replacements, Manor ISD does not have the fund balance to be able to do so. In fact,  the vast majority of schools do not. That is why school districts hold bond elections.

Right now, the bond includes plans to make improvements and expansions at Manor New Tech High School including addressing Band and other fine arts, Robotics and other CTE courses, as well as upgraded academic classrooms. If the bond is approved, the exact details, what’s renovated, what’s added, and how spaces are designed, will be figured out through a planning process that involves the community, the architect, the construction team, and our district administration.  We anticipate MNTHS will be renovated over the course of several phases spanning many years with the ultimate goal of having a 1200-student high school with upgraded facilities in CTE and Fine Arts and Academics.

Renovations will address the essential needs of the campus to ensure it can operate. This includes updates to HVAC systems, sidewalks, and roofing; fresh paint; interior renovations to update the building; and upgrades to electrical and plumbing systems.

The bonds may be sold as early as 45-60 days after the passage of a bond election. However, the typical process includes a design work phase where the architects design the school and conduct a construction bid process, which can take up to 12 months to complete.

The last Bond Election that Manor ISD held was 6 years ago in 2019 and all of the projects have largely been completed. The projects include Multipurpose facilities at Manor New Tech High School and the Manor High School Complex, Manor Rise Academy, the Transportation Center,  and playground and shade structures at elementary campuses. For a complete list of projects, visit Manor ISD’s Bond 2019 webpage.

No, the district can’t just do whatever it wants with approved bond funds. By law, the money has to be used for the projects and purposes outlined in the bond proposition that voters approved.  Some adjustments can be made if needed, but they have to be reasonable and receive board approval before moving forward.  For example, if a building’s roof collapses over the weekend, trustees can reallocate bond money to fix the roof.

 If the bond is approved, the I&S (Interest & Sinking) tax rate is projected to stay the same. 

There are two types of taxes that make up your school tax bill. The first, M&O (Maintenance & Operations) covers operating expenses such as salaries and utility bills.  The second, I&S (Interest & Sinking), raises revenue to pay debt service on capital projects. Because Manor ISD has been paying off past debt, we have enough capacity in this category to pay debt service on the proposed Bond, if it’s passed, without raising the tax rate.   In addition, new construction and business opening in the area have added to the overall property value within the district, raising the amount of revenue our I&S tax rate generates.  Manor ISD also does not plan to issue all $385 million in debt at the same time.  By breaking up the debt issuance overtime, Manor ISD can better ensure no raise in tax rates will be needed to maintain that debt.

If that Bond doesn’t pass, Manor ISD will be unable to complete the projects stated in the Bond Package due to budgetary constraints. 

In regards to the tax rate, regardless if it passes or not, the tax rate will stay the same for the current school year.

The growth in property taxes can be attributed to growing property values in the Central Texas area. So, although the tax rate for Manor ISD, which makes up a portion of your overall property tax bill, has been lowered, your property may have gained value, which causes an increase in taxes.

Appraisal values are set by the county central appraisal district.

For the third consecutive year, Manor ISD has earned the highest possible rating for financial integrity from the Texas Education Agency through the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST). This distinction means the district exceeds the state’s rigorous standards for budgeting, debt management including the management of bond debt, and financial transparency.

The same responsible practices that earned this recognition also guide how we manage bond funds. For example, the upcoming bond proposal is structured so it will not increase the district’s current tax rate, while still funding significant improvements in safety, technology, and facilities.

Additionally, every Texas public school district is required to undergo an independent audit of its finances at the end of each fiscal year. Manor ISD follows this process, and past audits are available on our website for public review.

Independent state reviews and audits confirm that Manor ISD is managing taxpayer dollars with care and accountability.

Property taxes for citizens 65 years or older who have filed the “Over 65 Homestead Exemption” will not increase because of the bond proposal. Under the over 65 homestead exemption, taxes are frozen at the dollar amount of the year the individual turned 65 and regardless of future tax rate increases, the tax levy for the 65-year-old does not escalate beyond the ceiling dollar amount (unless significant improvements are made to the home). If it decreases in property value, tax rate declines, or change in exemptions cause the tax levy to fall below the ceiling amount, the over 65 taxpayers will pay the lower tax bill.

Learn by visiting the Manor ISD Bond 2025 website or attending a community meeting, which are happening throughout Fall. Details will be shared with families soon.