Early voting on $135 million BCISD bond package begins April 20
Burnet Consolidated Independent School District administration. Staff photo by Caden Senn
A $135 million bond addressing key campus changes and maintenance throughout the Burnet Consolidated Independent School District will be voted on by the community in the coming weeks with early voting from April 20-28, and Election Day on May 2.
If passed by voters, the bond package is planned to include the full demolition and rebuilding of Burnet Middle School, classroom additions at RJ Richey Elementary, and various maintenance projects throughout the district.
- See a sample ballot for the election at this link.
- See a list of polling locations, dates, and times for early voting and Election Day at this link.
BCISD Superintendent Dr. Aaron Peña shared this statement with DailyTrib as a message to the community ahead of the early voting period:
“Early voting is an important part of the process, and we encourage everyone to stay informed and not assume an outcome. Make a plan to participate,” Dr. Peña said.
Bond effects on tax rates
BCISD officials have reiterated that the bond would not cause a tax increase if passed, despite Texas Senate Bill 2205 requiring the ballot to read “This is a property tax increase.”
In Texas school financing, a school district’s overall tax rate is divided between the M&O rate (maintenance and operations) and the I&S rate (interest and sinking). The M&O rate can only be used to fund day-to-day operations, like salaries and utilities. The I&S rate can only be used to pay down debt. By design, school districts take out voter-approved bonds to accomplish major infrastructure projects, like those proposed by BCISD in this upcoming election, which are then paid down using the funds levied from the I&S rate.
The current total BCISD property tax rate for the 2025-26 fiscal year is $0.8710 per $100 property valuation. Of that total rate, $0.6760 is dedicated to the M&O rate and $0.195 is dedicated to the I&S rate.
Of note, BCISD voters passed a $52 million bond in May 2021 that the district promised would not increase the tax rate. Since then, the M&O tax rate has actually decreased from $0.951 to $0.676, and the I&S tax rate has stayed the same.
Property values, however, will likely continue to increase, and thus voters may see an increase in the amount of property taxes they pay year over year.
The bond breakdown
BCISD’s proposed $135 million bond will be split into two propositions on the May 2 ballot: Proposition A and B.
- Proposition A, roughly $133 million, allows for funds to be used on general facilities, modernization, deferred maintenance, and land acquisition.
- Proposition B, roughly $2 million, allows for funds to be used on district-wide technology upgrades.
Bond projects would be phased to allow for the least amount of academic disruptions during the school year. This phased approach is planned to include completing the new Burnet Middle School prior to deconstruction of the current campus.
Various maintenance projects and the design of the new Burnet Middle School would begin immediately after approval. The timeline for the new middle school is unknown, but is likely to be a multi-year project.
BCISD previously included an at-a-glance look at the planned projects in a press release for the bond. The projects listed are:
Burnet Middle School – Campus overhaul, new academic facility, and renovations
- New academic building and performance space designed for 900 students, with capacity to expand to 1,200 students in the future
- Classrooms and collaborative learning spaces
- Science labs and elective spaces
- Library/media center
- Cafeteria and kitchen
- Special education spaces
- Renovation of existing fine arts and athletics spaces
RJ Richey Elementary – Campus improvements
- Redesigned interior spaces to improve capacity and flow
- New academic classrooms built within existing cafeteria and courtyard space
- Conversion of interior gym into a cafetorium and kitchen
- Dedicated art and music rooms
- Right-sized special education spaces
- Increases student capacity to better match the district’s other elementary schools and delay the need for an additional new elementary campus
Deferred maintenance at campuses
- Roof replacement
- Electrical system upgrades
- HVAC replacements
- Replacement of selected interior finishes
- Building protection system upgrades
- Conversion to energy-efficient LED lighting
Bertram Elementary School
- New secure front entry to improve safety and controlled access
Districtwide needs and future planning
- Replacement of aging buses to support safe and reliable transportation
- Refresh of student technology devices used for instruction and assessments (Proposition B)
- Purchase of land for a future elementary school and a future middle school near Bertram
Key questions about the bond
Note: These questions and answers are as listed on BCISD’s bond FAQ website, which can be found here.
Why does the district need a bond?
Many district facilities are aging and need updates to building systems, safety features, and learning spaces. A bond allows the district to address long-term facility needs that cannot be paid for through the regular operating budget.
What happens if the bond does not pass?
If the bond does not pass, the district will continue operating its current facilities and will address only the most urgent repairs as funding allows.
Major renovations, system replacements, and new facilities would be delayed. In some cases, addressing critical needs without bond funding would require using operating dollars, which could reduce flexibility in the budget for staff compensation, programs, and other district priorities.
Why not pay for these projects with the regular budget?
State law limits how Maintenance & Operations (M&O) funds can be used. M&O dollars are intended for day-to-day expenses such as teacher salaries, staff pay, utilities, transportation, and instructional programs.
Why not just renovate the existing middle school?
The committee reviewed renovation and replacement options. Many of the existing buildings date back to the 1970s and were not designed for today’s safety requirements, instructional practices, or technology needs, and they require significant system replacements. The committee determined that new construction would better address long-term needs. This includes balancing a new academic building with renovation of existing fine arts and athletics facilities to create learning spaces that meet today’s educational standards while remaining cost-conscious.
Previous reporting on the bond
- March 30 – BCISD to hold info meetings, campus tours for $135 million bond vote
- March 5 – Burnet leaders talk flood recovery, bond package
- Feb. 10 – $135 million BCISD bond package slated for May 2 election
- Feb. 3 – Final BCISD board meeting schedule before decision on bond package
- Jan. 22 – BCISD ponders $141 million infrastructure bond package