How we got here
During the workshop meeting, TISD Chief Operating Officer Steven Gutierrez presented information about the 2025 bond process, while bond steering committee members Chris Sampson and Gary Boudreaux updated the board on the committee's findings from three different meetings.
The bond steering committee, comprised of 16 parents and community members, and nine staff members, recommended the board approve a bond package with up to five propositions. This recommendation was based on data from multiple needs assessments, discussions and feedback among committee members with a focus on the district's overall goals.
The details
TISD Chief Financial Officer Zack Boles said during the special meeting that due to debt capacity, the 2025 bond package could be no more than $430 million without increasing the tax rate.
“We have a history of going to the public, going to the community and asking voters to approve a debt package that has no impact on the overall tax rate,” Boles said. “We’re able to do that through our debt management practices, so we work heavily with a financial advisor. We don’t do it alone.”
However, the steering committee recommended a bond package totaling $529.68 million, which puts pressure on the school board to prioritize projects.
The TISD school board will consider the following propositions:
Proposition A (general purpose)
Estimated total cost: $408.3 million
- Athletic facility upgrades ($30.23 million)
- Career and technical education expansion ($15 million)
- Connections Academy renovation ($2 million)
- Early Excellence Academy ($35 million)
- Elementary library refresh ($5 million)
- Elementary No. 13, including land purchase and wastewater plant ($100 million)
- Expansion of special services program ($8 million)
- Existing campus refresh ($8 million)
- Facility infrastructure replacements ($81.07 million)
- Fleet additions and replacements ($27.41 million)
- Fine Arts updates ($4 million)
- New Tomball Intermediate School ($59 million)
- Safety and security upgrades ($10.84 million)
- Transportation Center expansion ($22.75 million)
Estimated total cost: $20 million
- SMART panel replacements
- Staff device refresh
- Student Chromebook refresh
Estimated total cost: $2.8 million
- Equipment and infrastructure
- Turf and track replacement/resurface
Estimated total cost: $21.88 million
- Existing natatorium updates ($880,000)
- Tomball West High School natatorium ($21 million)
Estimated total cost: $76.7 million
- Build fine arts/athletics multi-use facilities at Tomball, Tomball Memorial and Tomball West high schools
Members of the bond steering committee said TISD should prioritize facility infrastructure replacements, safety and security upgrades as well as campus revitalization in Proposition A.
“It gives some of those older campuses kind of a facelift,” Sampson said. “Have a little sense of pride, and I think it’s going to show [teachers and students] that, in my opinion, Tomball ISD cares about them ... they’re going to feel good, and when they feel good, they’re going to learn good, and teachers are going to teach good. I think that’ll go a long way.”
Steering committee members also said they believe the school district should prioritize Proposition E and build multi-use facilities at Tomball, Tomball Memorial and Tomball West high schools.
What’s next
The TISD school board did not approve anything at the Jan. 13 meeting and will meet in February to decide whether to hold a special election for the 2025 bond package in May or November. Michael Pratt, president of the TISD board of trustees, said the decision will be based on the school district’s needs.
