The details
Roughly 58% of voters voted against both Proposition A and Proposition B during the Nov. 5 election. Proposition A would have provided $4 billion for school renovations, safety improvements and security upgrades, while Proposition B would have provided $400 million for technology improvements.
The bond’s failure represented the first time HISD voters have rejected a bond referendum in nearly 30 years.
While proponents of the bond argued the money was desperately needed to address aging infrastructure throughout the district, many voters argued the bond was a referendum on HISD Superintendent Mike Miles and the district’s board of managers, who were appointed by the TEA to take over the district in June 2023.
Miles expressed disappointment with the results on election night.
"The politics of adults beat out the needs of our children,” Miles said in a Nov. 5 letter posted on the district's Facebook page. “It's unfortunate and wrong, but I want to assure you that it will not limit our ability to do the things that our students need."
Some context
HISD’s most recent bond—approved in 2012—was a $1.9 billion package backed by roughly two-thirds of voters.
While the bulk of the work included in the 2012 bond was focused on high schools, district officials said the 2024 bond placed more emphasis on elementary and middle school improvements.
In addition to several campus replacements and renovations, the bond would have allocated $1.35 billion toward health and safety improvements that would have affected every district campus. The improvements would have included:
- Updated heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems
- Enhanced security infrastructure
- The removal of lead from drinking water
It remains unclear how officials will address the aging infrastructure and issues with air conditioning and heating at many of the district’s campuses.
Miles said the conditions will continue to be unsuitable for both students and teachers, noting closures at some campuses could be warranted in the future.
“We will do our best to keep long expired heating and cooling systems running, but on very hot or very cold days, we are likely going to have to close campuses to keep students safe,” he said in the letter. “More frequently, students are going to be forced to learn in conditions that are not ideal.”
Additionally, Miles said district officials will seek out grant funding and resources from the state to help pay for the security improvements that would have been included in the bond.
“Keeping schools safe will remain our top priority,” Miles said.
What they’re saying
For months, many HISD community members have concluded their comments at board meetings with the phrase “no trust, no bond.” Prior to the election, several prominent elected officials voiced opposition for the bond, including former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, State Sen. Molly Cook, D-Houston and State Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston.
Ruth Kravetz, co-founder of Houston-based nonprofit Community Voices for Public Education, said voters’ rejection of the bond speaks to a broader lack of support for the TEA-appointed superintendent and board of managers.
"This was a referendum on Mike Miles and his failed leadership," Kravetz said in a Nov. 5 news release. "Our community deserves leaders who see children and teachers as people, not cogs in a machine."
HISD parent Brooke Longoria echoed Kravetz’s sentiment.
“The fate of HISD and our children’s education was on the line,” Longoria said. “Knowing so many in our city support this effort gives me strength and courage to keep fighting against inequities and the harm caused by the state takeover.”
Some community members, however, said the bond’s failure will only create more problems for district students and educators.
“We firmly believe in providing Houston’s students and educators with the facilities, safety measures and technology they need to thrive,” Good Reason Houston CEO Cary Wright said in a Nov. 5 news release. “This outcome means we must continue to work within the current insufficient infrastructure, even though we know students deserve and need more.”
Veronica Garcia, executive director of nonprofit Houstonians for Great Public Schools, said district officials and community members need to find a way to work together on infrastructure improvements.
“The needs of HISD students cannot be put on hold,” Garcia said. “We can’t afford to wait.”
What’s next
District officials said it’s too early to determine whether the district will pursue another bond.
Miles noted district officials will seek out grant funding and request additional resources from the state to help pay for the security improvements that would have been included in the bond.
