BISD Superintendent Barry Edwards said both were necessary to keep the district strong while enrollment continues to grow.
“One thing is for sure: Bastrop ISD is growing,” he said. “These bonds have allowed us to address immediate needs and plan for the future.”
Bastrop High School senior Damian Acosta said the new weight room is a place where he and his peers can develop strong bonds.
“We may be divided by different sports, but one thing that always brings us together is the weight room,” Acosta said.
How we got here
Edwards said over the past 10 years, the district’s student enrollment has grown by around 4% each year, and the bonds were vital to keep up with the current and future capacity.
BISD falls into Education Service Center Region 13, which includes districts like Austin and Taylor ISDs. According to data from the Texas Education Agency, while BISD experienced a 36% increase in student enrollment over the past decade, AISD dropped by 14% and TISD fell by 5%. State enrollment numbers have also grown, but at a much slower rate than Bastrop, at 8.6% over the past decade.
Lee Raspberry, BISD director of construction and planning, said both bonds are on track and within the allotted budget. The 2021 and 2023 bonds are 98% and 7% completed, respectively.
“We have a great team working together to make this all happen,” Raspberry said. “We are committed to being fiscally responsible and mindful of what we are doing and when.”
Not only are the bonds addressing capacity concerns, but they are also working to update facilities functionally and aesthetically, Raspberry said.
Bastrop High School senior Arwyn Ayala said she appreciates her school’s facelift.
"The halls have been updated with bright walls and dark accents, and the old, outdated yellow-brownish tiles have been replaced with new wood tile floors instead,” Ayala said. “It makes me feel as if I’m in a more modern and mature place that I enjoy both visually and academically.”
A closer look
As of Sept. 6, student enrollment was 13,255—with around 20,000 students projected by 2033.
“Bastrop ISD remains a fast-growth school district ... and we’re committed to keeping up with that growth,” Edwards said. “These bonds were proposed to ensure that our schools remain high-quality, safe spaces for learning, and our students deserve that.”
The $183.6 million 2021 bond facilitated two new elementary schools, school additions, classroom expansions, increased security measures, parking improvements, and athletic facility upgrades.
The $321.5 million 2023 bond adds similar upgrades, as well as two more elementary schools, fine arts enhancements to Bastrop and Cedar Creek middle schools, playgrounds, cosmetic improvements, additional security enhancements, and a police and operations facility.
“One of the standout features is the ability to control not only who has access to our facilities, but also when access is granted,” BISD Police Chief Scot Bunch said. “This level of control is crucial for maintaining a secure environment.”
The cost
Despite the bonds, the district’s tax rates have not increased. The 2024-25 fiscal year tax rate is $0.002 lower than last year.
According to the Bastrop Central Appraisal District, compared to FY 2023-24, the new rate will result in a decrease of $2.30 per $100,000 valuation.
“We have lowered the [maintenance and operations] tax rate by $0.37 since 2018, all while maintaining a debt service tax rate of $0.40 and passing and issuing [the bonds],” said Dina Edgar, BISD chief financial officer.
Edgar attributes this to a combination of careful planning, monitoring and analysis, noting that the interest and sinking, or debt service, tax rate has held static for more than 10 years.
What's next?
Raspberry said all bond projects should be completed by fall 2026; however, it is likely that a new bond package will be proposed as the district continues to grow.
Edwards said that as this need gets stronger, officials will continue to engage with families, staff and the community to determine priorities.
“We are aware that another bond proposition is inevitable in the near future based on this exceptional growth, and it’s important for our community to be aware of this too,” Edwards said. “We are grateful to have the trust of our community, and we appreciate their investment in the future of our district.”
