Current situation
SISD Superintendent Dustin Bromley, who was appointed to take over as superintendent in late February following the retirement of former Superintendent Jeffrey Burke, said SISD is currently in a precarious situation due to its rapid growth and relatively small tax base.
“It's really hard to be what we call ‘property poor,’ which is what we are, and a fast-growth district,” Burke said. “We need industry. ... The people come first, and then you get your Dollar Generals and Whataburgers and Taco Bells.”
As development in the area continues to expand, Burke said the district will be able to generate more tax revenue. However, until that happens, Burke said the district has few options for addressing growth outside of a bond.
Splendora resident Nick Sorensen echoed Burke’s concern, noting he’d witnessed a similar situation with a fast-growing school district in Nevada.
“The district was growing so fast and the infrastructure wasn't even up,” Sorensen said. “We just didn't have enough industry to support [the growth], and it took forever for them to dig their way out. If you get behind this curve, you're never going to get out.”
The options
To accommodate the district's student population growth, officials also discussed SISD's upcoming $150 million bond referendum, which will be decided by voters during the May 3 election. Bromley said the bond would not result in an increase to the district’s current tax rate.
Should the bond fail to gain voter approval, however, Bromley noted officials would likely be required to dip into the district’s maintenance and operations budget to address the rapid growth of its student population.
“The reality is, if a bond doesn't pass, you have to start to dig more into [the maintenance and operations] side of it, and we know 85% of that is [employee’s salaries],” Bromley said. “That's just what it is, so decisions would have to be made.”
Burke said regardless of whether the bond is approved, the district will continue to grow.
“Growth is coming,” he said. “If the bond doesn't pass, it means higher class size ratios and portables [buildings]. That's what it means.”
Some context
SISD trustees called for the bond election during the board’s Feb. 5 meeting, marking the second bond election presented to voters within the fast-growth district since 2022.
According to a January report by demographic firm Population and Survey Analysts, the district’s student population is expected to grow from roughly 5,700 students in the 2024-25 school year to roughly 16,000 students in the 2033-34 school year.
District officials said the May 3 bond election will include the following projects:
- An additional junior high school
- The first phase of a districtwide support services facility
- Splendora High School auditorium and band hall additions
- Splendora High School auto body expansion and health science renovations
- Splendora High School athletics department annex expansion
- The first phase of a livestock facility and show arena
- Land for future school sites
Early voting for the May 3 election runs April 22-29, and the last day to register to vote is April 3, according to the Texas Secretary of State's Office. For more information about voting in Montgomery County, click here. For more information, visit the district’s dedicated bond website.
