Lewisville ISD trustees are asking voters to consider a bond election and a voter-approval tax rate election, or VATRE, for the upcoming Nov. 7 election. If approved, the VATRE and the six other propositions will generate funding for education, maintenance and renovations within the district.

The VATRE was approved to be added to the November ballot during a special-called board meeting Aug. 16. Early voting will start Oct. 23 and end Nov. 3.

Background

During the regular 88th legislative session, the Texas Legislature did not increase the basic allotment—the minimum amount of money a district receives per student, based on attendance—which has been $6,160 since 2019. This means, without additional revenue, LISD could face a shortfall of $48 million. Though district officials have taken other measures to reduce the shortfall, trustees said the VATRE is estimated to generate $37.5 million for the district.

The remaining six bond propositions will total $1.2 billion. In April, district officials formed the One Vision Task Force—a group of over 70 stakeholders—to develop the bond proposal. The committee spent months conducting in-depth research, including an assessment of the district’s facilities, a transportation audit, and interviews with LISD faculty and staff.



A closer look

If the VATRE and the other propositions are approved, the district’s total tax rate will be reduced to $1.13 per $100 valuation, which is 10.6 cents lower than the fiscal year 2022-23 tax rate. The VATRE, which is listed on the ballot as Proposition A, will provide funds for competitive staff pay, and maintenance for instructional and extracurricular programs, such as career and technical training, fine arts, athletics, and more.

The bond will cover a wide variety of improvements for the district, officials said. Propositions B-G from the proposal are listed below according to the district’s release:

  • General proposition ($960.58 million): maintenance, repairs and renovations to LISD campuses and facilities, including safety and security equipment and technology, replacement of the transportation center, and the purchase of school buses
  • Instructional technology equipment ($69.6 million): update and purchase instructional technology equipment
  • Athletics and recreation facilities ($31.38 million): maintenance, repairs and renovations at athletics facilities consisting of locker rooms and field houses, tennis courts, baseball/softball facilities and concession areas
  • Natatorium ($16.25 million): maintenance, repairs and renovations at the Eastside Aquatic Center and Westside Aquatic Center.
  • Stadiums ($20 million): maintenance, repairs and renovations to stadiums at Hebron High School, Flower Mound High School, The Colony High School, Marcus High School and Lewisville High School
  • Indoor multipurpose athletic centers ($131.8 million): construction, improvements and/or renovations to multipurpose indoor athletics facilities at Hebron High School, Flower Mound High School, The Colony High School, Marcus High School and Lewisville High School