Cypress-Fairbanks ISD voters will consider five propositions Nov. 3 that could shape how the district funds daily operations, maintains aging facilities and addresses an ongoing budget deficit.
The ballot includes a voter-approval tax rate election, or VATRE, under Proposition A and a $1.636 billion bond package divided among Propositions B-E.
Superintendent Dr. Douglas Killian said the measures address separate financial needs, with one focused on maintaining staff and programs and the other on replacing aging infrastructure.
What is the difference between a VATRE and a bond?
Texas school districts rely on two primary property tax revenue sources: maintenance and operations, or M&O, and interest and sinking, or I&S.
Proposition A, the VATRE, would increase the district's M&O tax rate to fund daily operating expenses. Propositions B-E, the bond package, would authorize borrowing for long-term capital improvements, with the debt repaid through I&S tax revenue.
Dr. Killian compared the funding mechanisms to managing a household budget.
"Proposition A is specifically about maintenance and operations—that's the day-to-day money we use to turn on the lights, keep programs running and pay employee salaries," Dr. Killian said. "On the other hand, Propositions B through E are for capital improvements. Just like in your own home budget, you don't pay for a new roof or a major renovation out of your monthly checking account—you take out a loan. We do the same for things like facilities and vehicle fleets."
Although both measures appear on the same ballot, state law prohibits bond revenue from being used for daily operating expenses.
Why does CFISD need additional funding?
Like many Texas school districts, CFISD is navigating rising operating expenses while state funding has not kept pace with inflation.
The district faces an approximately $80.7 million operating budget deficit despite maintaining $94 million in reductions implemented over the past two years.
Proposition A would increase the M&O tax rate by 12 cents per $100 of taxable property value, generating an estimated $103.6 million annually, including state-guaranteed funding. The revenue would support:
Teacher and staff salaries, recruitment and retention
Classroom instruction, educational resources and class size ratios
Fine arts, athletics and career and technical education programs
Student transportation and bus routes
Rising utility, health insurance and campus security costs
If Proposition A fails, Dr. Killian said district leaders would need to re-examine the operating budget.
"Running a school district is fundamentally about people. In fact, roughly 90 percent of our budget goes directly to payroll, to staff who care for our kids. That’s why budget conversations are so deeply personal. We would have to start looking at staffing, programs and services we provide," Dr. Killian said. "Everything has to be on the table—from bus routes and academic programs to how we staff buildings and balance campus enrollment. They’re tough conversations, but we owe our community an honest look at the reality."
What would the bonds fund?
Unlike the VATRE, the bond package would finance capital improvements and equipment replacements rather than daily operations.
The four propositions include:
Proposition B—$1.3 billion: Roofs, HVAC systems, safety and security upgrades, buses and facility improvements.
Proposition C—$256 million: Student instructional technology equipment, teacher laptops, interactive instructional displays, CTE and digital art lab tech and instructional audio systems.
Proposition D—$60.8 million: Improvements to existing high school athletic stadiums, including turf, tracks and scoreboards.
Proposition E—$20.1 million: Repairs and equipment replacements at existing high school and middle school swimming pools.
Dr. Killian said the projects were identified through the district's long-range planning committee, which evaluated enrollment trends, facility conditions and equipment replacement schedules.
Of CFISD's 121 facilities, 90 are at least 19 years old. Unlike previous bonds focused on accommodating enrollment growth, the proposed package primarily addresses existing infrastructure and does not include new campus construction.
How would property taxes change?
If all five propositions pass, CFISD projects a net tax rate increase of 9 cents per $100 of taxable property value.
That estimate reflects a proposed 12-cent M&O increase under Proposition A, offset by a 3-cent reduction in the district's I&S tax rate. The I&S reduction has already been approved, regardless of the election outcome.
For a home valued at $350,000, CFISD estimates an additional $10.50 per month, or $126 annually, after applying the district's 20% local optional homestead exemption and the state's $140,000 homestead exemption.
Actual impacts vary by property value and exemptions. Find a property tax calculator here.
Where can voters learn more?
Early voting runs Oct. 19-30, with Election Day scheduled for Nov. 3.
"We're an open book—we're a public school district," Killian said. "We have all our committee work, board presentations, budget filings and frequently asked questions published online. We just want to make sure everyone is fully informed about what's going on in the district and what this election pertains to before casting their ballot."
Residents can review campus-specific projects, proposition details, frequently asked questions and a personalized property tax calculator at election.cfisd.net.
Frequently asked questions
When are the Cy-Fair ISD bond and VATRE elections?
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD voters will decide on five propositions Nov. 3, 2026. Early voting runs Oct. 19-30. The ballot includes Proposition A, a voter-approval tax rate election and Propositions B-E, a $1.636 billion bond package.
What is Proposition A in the CFISD election?
Proposition A is a VATRE that would increase the district's M&O tax rate by 12 cents per $100 of taxable property value. It would generate an estimated $103.6 million annually to support staffing, classroom instruction, student programs and daily operations.
What happens if the CFISD VATRE does not pass?
If Proposition A fails, CFISD would need to address its approximately $80.7 million operating budget deficit without the proposed additional revenue. District leaders could consider reductions or changes to staffing, transportation, instructional programs and campus operations.
What would the CFISD bond package pay for?
The $1.636 billion bond package would fund repairs and replacements for aging school facilities, HVAC systems, roofs, buses, classroom technology, high school athletic stadiums and swimming pools. The package focuses on maintaining existing infrastructure rather than building new campuses.
How much would the CFISD elections increase property taxes?
If all five propositions pass, CFISD projects a net tax rate increase of 9 cents per $100 of taxable property value. For a $350,000 home with applicable homestead exemptions, the estimated increase would be $10.50 per month or $126 annually.