What is a Bond Election?
A bond election authorizes a school district to issue debt to pay for building new facilities, renovations of existing facilities, large infrastructure upgrades, equipment, land purchases and school buses.
 
I have questions about the bond proposal. Where can I obtain additional information?
You can find additional information about the bond proposal at https://www.sfisd.org/Page/4246 Specific questions can be asked at this website.
 
How was the proposed scope work in the bond proposal identified?
The items included in the bond election were the result of work done by a Bond 2021 Steering Committee in June & July 2021 to finalize a list of District facility needs. The Committee worked with the District’s Administration, Architect and the Board of Trustees to arrive at a final list of items totaling $110 million.

Who served on the Bond 2021 Steering Committee?
The Bond 2021 Steering Committee was a group of forty-one persons residing within the district. The make-up of the committee represents a cross-section of the district’s population and included parents, business leaders and district staff.

How were participants on the Bond 2021 Steering Committee selected?
The participants on the Bond 2021 Steering Committee were citizens who volunteered to serve. The members of the Bond 2021 Steering Committee were comprised of parents, grandparents, business leaders and district personnel representing all areas of the Community.
 
Who made the decision to call a bond election?
The SFISD Board of Trustees
 
When was the election called?
The bond election was called on Monday, August 16, 2021 at the regular meeting of the SFISD Board of Trustees.
 
Why does State law separate a school district’s taxes into two parts & what is the intended purpose?
Under Texas law, school districts are allowed to levy a tax for maintenance and operations and a tax for debt service to finance capital improvements.  In recognition of this split, State law limits the ability to utilize maintenance and operation taxes for capital expenditures (particularly with respect to new facilities).  In addition, the District currently levies maintenance and operations tax at the statutory limit.

The regular operating budget is currently dedicated to the operating costs of educating students, inclusive of teacher salaries, administrative costs, supplies, utilities, etc. 

The items in the bond program are capital costs, which typically are financed and paid for over a period of time to generally match the anticipated useful life of the capital item.  As stated, the Texas Education Code has a separate tax rate and a distinct accounting fund for voted bonds used to finance capital improvements.  The ability to vote bonds for capital improvements allows local districts to raise additional funds for these capital items without reducing the amount of tax revenue otherwise available to fund operations. 
 
Are there State funds available to assist with paying for these District improvements?
Currently the State contributes to the District’s annual payments on the bonds that are outstanding.  The State assistance comes from two programs, the Existing Debt Allotment (“EDA”) and the Instructional Facilities Allotment (“IFA”).
 
Can bond money be used for salaries?
No. Bond proceeds cannot be used for salaries or operating costs such as utilities, supplies, building maintenance, fuel, and insurance. Bond funds can only be used to pay for new buildings, existing facility renovations, infrastructure upgrades, land purchases, equipment purchases and school bus purchases.
 
How does the bond process work?
Bond elections are presented to voters in the form of a ballot proposition or propositions to either approve or deny the school district the ability to issue and sell an amount of bonds.  If approved by voters, the district can then issue and sell the amount of bonds, in one or more installments, that was proposed in the ballot proposition to construct, renovate and equip facilities within the district and to purchase any necessary sites for facilities.  When school districts sell bonds, the bonds are offered in the public market to potential investors at competitive market rates.  The proceeds from the bond sale are deposited into a construction fund to pay for the construction and related costs of the proposed projects.
 
What new facilities are included in the Bond Program?
The following new facilities are included:

New 240,000 square foot, Santa Fe Junior High School for 1,500 students

• CTE programs spaces
• 21st Century instructional space for each grade level
• Special services instructional space
• Two gymnasiums
• Fine Arts space
• Media/Library
• Auditorium
• Food Service
• A cafeteria able to hold grade level lunches
• Administrative and Office
• Technology
• All facilities are on the same property.
• Students do not have to cross Warpath – spending less time transitioning from athletic periods to instructional ones.
• Improved safety and security

Santa Fe High School CTE Addition

• Includes lab and instructional spaces to provide real world environments for student learning and trade certifications.
• Addition will include spaces for programs such as Culinary Arts, Welding, Construction Geometry, etc.

How many propositions will be on the ballot?
There will be a single proposition that includes all projects and improvements.
 
What is the timing for the proposed construction projects?
Planning, design and documentation for all projects will begin in January, 2022 and construction will be completed by Fall, 2025.

When is the election?

Santa Fe ISD Bond early voting begins on October 18, 2021 and continues through October 29, 2021. Polls will be open as follows:

Week of October 18 through October 22:  Monday - Friday from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm

Week of October 25 through October 29:  Monday - Friday from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm 

General election date is November 2, 2021 when polls will be open 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Where are the voting locations?  

Voters can vote at any Galveston County polling locations. Go to galvestonvotes.org for those locations. The polling locations in Santa Fe ISD are:

Santa Fe City Hall
12002 Highway 6
Santa Fe, Texas 77510

West County Building
11730 Highway 6
Santa Fe, Texas 77510

Who can vote?

All residents 18 years or older who reside within Santa ISD are eligible. You must be registered to vote at least 30 days prior to the election.

 

 

What are the historical enrollment numbers for the District?

Historical enrollment for the District:

• School Year 2016/2017 - 4774 students
• School Year 2017/2018 - 4797 students
• School Year 2018/2019 - 4602 students
• School Year 2019/2020 - 4528 students
• School Year 2020/2021 - 4343 students
• School Year 2021/2022 - 4331 students

Has the Covid 19 pandemic affected enrollment?

Yes, our enrollment numbers have declined during the pandemic. The decline is in line with enrollments in other districts. Our growth projects are based on the current enrollment, not past enrollment.

What are the current campus enrollments and building capacities?

The 2020-2021 enrollments and building capacities for existing campuses were as follows:

Campus - Current Enrollment - Current Capacity

• R. J. Wollam ES - 650 - 1000
• Dan J. Kubacak ES - 725 - 1000
• William F. Barnett ES - 750 - 825
• Santa Fe Junior High - 1030 - 1200
• Santa Fe High School - 1324 - 2000

Will there be any grade re-alignment required by the Bond?

No – all current grade level structures will be maintained.

Was a separate 6th grade center considered as a project option?

Yes – a separate 6th grade center was one of the options considered by the planning committee. After review and consideration, it was decided to retain the current Junior High 6-8 grade structure.

Is a second Junior High being built?

No – the new Junior High will be built on the same site and the existing Junior High building will be re-purposed for future use.

With projected growth at the Junior High, will portable classroom buildings be required prior to completing the new building?

It is likely that portable buildings will be needed prior to new building completion at a cost of approximately $100,000 plus monthly rental costs per building.

When was the last bond election approved by the voters? What was the amount?

The last bond approved by voters was in 2016. The total amount of the bond was $34,565,000. Prior to 2016 – the last election was 2008.

What are the Historical Tax Rates for the District?

Historical Tax Rates are listed below:             

YEAR - TAX RATE - M&O - I&S

2013 Tax Year - $1.4490 - $1.04 - $.4090

2014 Tax Year - $1.4358 - $1.04 - $.3958

2015 Tax Year - $1.4167 - $1.04 - $.3767

2016 Tax Year - $1.4023 - $1.04 - $.3623

2017 Tax Year - $1.4023 - $1.04 - $.3623

2018 Tax Year - $1.4023 - $1.04 - $.3623

2019 Tax Year - $1.3323 - $0.97 - $.3623

2020 Tax Year - $1.2816 - $0.9193 - $.3623

2021 Tax Year - $1.2343 - $0.8720 - $.3623

What was the interest rate for the 2016 bond?

3.88%.

What is the proposed interest rate for the 2021 bond?

2.27%.

What is the difference between the M&O and the I&S tax rates?

Maintenance & Operations (M&O) taxes are used for day-to-day operations; to pay for salaries, supplies, utilities, insurance, fuel, etc. Revenue from the Interest & Sinking (I&S) tax rate can be used only to retire bonds sold for specific purposes: construction, renovations, buses, portable buildings, land, technology, and the cost of issuing bonds.

What is the maximum M&O tax rate for the school district?

The MCR (maximum compressed rate which changes every year) plus 17cents. In 2019, the MCR was 93 cents. As of 2021, 5 golden pennies can be added to the MCR by Board of Trustees approval. The remaining 12 pennies would need voter approval. The MCR for 2021 is .8220 and the Board has approved the five additional pennies which makes the 2021 M&O tax rate .8720. The maximum possible tax rate for 2021 M&O, which would require voter approval, is $.992 cents. We are not asking the voters to increase the 2021 M&O tax rate.

What new facilities are included in the 2021 Bond Program?

The following new facilities are included:

• Santa Fe Junior High School
• Santa Fe High School CTE Addition

What facility maintenance projects are included in the bond?

Priority One Capital Improvement Items include the following:

SANTA FE HIGH SCHOOL

• Replace roof – original building, science wing addition & field house.
• Replace HVAC controls
• Replace foodservice area ceiling & lighting

KUBACAK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

• Construct secure entrance vestibule
• Security improvements (panic buttons/audio enhancements)/PA
• New intrusion alarm
• Replace chiller
• Replace boiler
• Replace roof

WOLLAM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

• Harden secure entrance vestibule
• Security improvements (panic buttons/audio enhancements)/PA
• New intrusion alarm
• Replace boiler

DISTRICT-WIDE

• Reimbursement of general fund expenditures

Is the purchase of land included in the Bond?

No

What renovations will be made at the current facilities?

Renovations related to the addition of the CTE wing will be made at Santa Fe High School. Other maintenance improvements will include:

SANTA FE HIGH SCHOOL

• Replace roof – original building, science wing addition & field house.
• Replace HVAC controls
• Replace foodservice area ceiling & lighting

KUBACAK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

• Construct secure entrance vestibule
• Security improvements (panic buttons/audio enhancements)/PA
• New intrusion alarm
• Replace chiller
• Replace boiler
• Replace roof

WOLLAM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

• Harden secure entrance vestibule
• Security improvements (panic buttons/audio enhancements)/PA
• New intrusion alarm
• Replace boiler

What is the average taxable value of a residence in SFISD?

Average 2021 taxable value is $208,204.

What tax impact could this bond program have on property taxes?

What is the tax impact on taxes paid by homeowners age 65 or older?

There will be no tax increase for property owners who qualify for the over 65 or disabled homestead exemption tax ceiling.  The over 65 or disabled homestead exemption tax ceiling does not apply to increased home values resulting from new improvements made after effective date of the freeze.