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Endorsed

Jeff Wiley
President/CEO, FBEDC
Jared Jameson
Chairman of the Board, FBEDC
Rep. Ron Reynolds
House District 27
Mayor Charles Jessup
City of Meadows Place
Commissioner Dexter McCoy
Precinct 4
Betty Baitland
Former FBISD Superintendent
Commissioner Grady Prestage
Precinct 2
Mayor Fred Burton
City of Arcola
James Patterson
Harvey and Sharon Zinn
Kolbe Curtis
Rick Conley
Don Jansen
Alice Chen
Michael Sabouni
Lina Sabouni
Ray Meyer
Jim Rice
Moe Shihadeh
Annette Goldberg
City Administrator, Arcola
Helen "Chips" Adams
April Smith
Mission Bend HOA

Resolutions of Support

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Overview

On February 16, 2023, the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees unanimously called a $1.26 billion bond election to be considered by the community in the May 6, 2023 election.

The district will focus on rebuilding aging campuses and infrastructure, consolidation and optimization where appropriate, new campuses in high growth areas, and upgrades to technology and transportation.  A third natatorium to service the southeast side of the district is included as well.

The bond will fund major projects throughout the district, enhancing every campus in Fort Bend ISD except schools that are newly constructed.

The district has not had a bond in five years, and as a result, some of its 82 campuses are rated in “critical condition” due to outdated mechanical, plumbing, roofing, electrical and HVAC systems that are beyond reasonable repair.

So, what's in the Bond?

Keep Fort Bend ISD a leader in Texas education!

Vote FOR
PROPS A-C

Mail In Ballots: March 7

Early Voting: April 24 - May 2

Election Day: May 6, 2023

Voting Locations
Register to Vote

Did you know?

18 FBISD Schools are have a POOR Facility Condition Index score (FCI), and 14 FBISD Schools are within 2 points of POOR index score?

View Campus FCI/Utilization

Watch FBISD Superintendent Christie Whitbeck on Houston Newsmakers

Voters in Fort Bend County will be asked to approve a $1.26 billion bond issue in May. Fort Bend ISD Superintendent Christie Whitbeck, Ph.D. says there is much to be done that parents and residents need to know about.

Watch NoW

Did you know?

Homeowners age 65 and over are not impacted by the proposed Fort Bend ISD Bond if they have filed for and received their over 65 Homestead Exemption through the Fort Bend County Appraisal District.

View TX Comptroller 65+FAQ

Understanding ballot language

Ballot language is defined by state statute. There are two primary factors that determine a district’s tax rate – the Maintenance and Operation (M&O) tax rate and the Interest and Sinking (I&S) rate. is the rate used for operations and I&S is payment on debt. An increase in either component must be put to voters as a “tax increase” even if the overall tax rate the voter pays remains the same or goes down.
View Ballot language

FACT:

FBISD efficiently manages debt to minimize impact to the tax rate.

What’s in the FBISD 2023 Bond Referendum?

See what is included by school

Facilities &
Security

PROPOSITION A

Prop A provides facilities and security to accommodate existing students and projected growth.

Why Vote Yes?

Technology
Upgrades

PROPOSITION B

Prop B consists of a new technology for the district.

Why Vote Yes?

Natatorium
Construction

PROPOSITION C

Prop C contains construction of the Natatorium.

Why Vote Yes?

Breaking It Down

PROPOSITION A​

$1.18B

Quality education must occur in safe schools, so students can learn and excel.  Facilities within FBISD that have critical infrastructure challenges must be addressed to ensure student and staff safety and security and promote quality education.

Prop A will address critical aging infrastructure needs, including schools that are nearing or have exceeded their life cycles.   If approved, Prop A will authorize the district to issue of $1,180,830,000 in bonds to address schools in desperate need of repair or rebuild. Projects include:

  • Rebuild schools due to facility life cycle expiration include Briargate Elementary, Mission Bend Elementary, and Clements High School. 
  • Renovations and additions are planed for Ferndale Henry (which will become Elementary School 56 in southeast area of district)
  • New schools to accommodate growth include middle school 16 and Elementary School 55 (North West)
  • Facility Deficiencies and life cycle needs, educational adequacy deficiencies
  • Safety and security upgrades include security cameras, police vehicles, floor mounted door locks, standardized weapons and response kits, emergency notification system, and safety and security contingency.
  • Transportation needs to address growth include new busses and other vehicles, district wide white fleet, and transportation smart tag
  • Technology upgrades include district infrastructure, an updated network, and upgraded system80

Design & Construction - $1,098,552,000

Safety & Security - $5,645,000

Transportation - $9,725,000

Technology - $66,908,000

PROPOSITION b

$52.5M

Quality education today that ensures students are prepared for a world driven by technology must include access to technological devices and curriculum. 

Prop B addresses the shortage of devices and curriculum to support technology-driven learning.  If  approved, Prop B will authorize the district to issue $52,470,000 in bonds to address shortages in devices and equipment.  Project include:

  • Device acquisition or upgrades include technology for students, teachers, and staff .
  • Curriculum upgrades include classroom toolsets.

Technology

PROPOSITION c

$22.9M

Access to extracurricular programs and resources is critical to promoting student success.  In a large land mass district, multiple facilities are necessary to ensure every student has fair and equal access to resources.

Prop C provides a third natatorium to improve access for students in the district.  If approved, Prop C will authorize the district to issue , $22,900,000 in bonds for the construction, acquisition, and equipment of a district natatorium.

Natatorium

FAQs

What is a bond election?

If voters approve a bond election, it authorizes the District to sell bonds to raise money for capital projects and other long-term items. Most school districts in Texas use bonds to finance renovations and new facilities.

Bonds are sold over a period of years to reduce the impact on the tax rate. Fort Bend ISD strategically manages the timing of bond sales and monitors property value growth to control the tax rate.

How can bond money be used?

Bond funds can only be used for the construction, acquisition and renovation of school buildings, the acquisition of land and the purchase of capital equipment such as technology and school buses.

Bond funds can’t be used to pay for unrelated regular operating costs such as salaries, supplies, utilities, etc.

Fort Bend ISD has not had a bond election in five years. 

If approved, what will the impact be on senior citizens within the district?

FBISD taxes are frozen for homeowners 65 and older who have properly filed for notice with the county tax office.  Approval of this bond would not result in an increase above the frozen amount.

If approved, will all the money be used at once?

No. If passed, this bond will not all be sold at one time.  If approved by voters, the bonds will be sold in increments over time as needed to fund projects.

If approved, what will it cost homeowners?

Voting for the bond propositions will result in an estimated impact of $2.50 per month on the average home valued at $300,000.  If you are 65 or older or disabled and have filed a valid homestead exemption, there is no additional cost, your school taxes are capped at the level they were in the year you turned 65 or became disabled.  The district has also pledged that there is no overall tax rate increase for homeowners as they intend to only increase their debt service rate as their maintenance and operations rates are lowered.. 

Why can’t the district cut costs instead?

The district has committed to the bond oversight committee and taxpayers to cut $40 million from their budget.  The infrastructure insufficiencies, new facilities and amenities, technology needs, and security upgrades must come from capital expenditures through a bond election. 

Keep Fort Bend ISD a leader in Texas education!

EARLY VOTING April 24 - MAY 2

VOTE FOR
PROPS A-C

Election Day: May 6, 2023

Pd. Pol. Ad. Excellence in Education Committee | 2415 Hodges Bend Circle – Sugar Land, TX 77479 | Jeff Wiley, Treasurer

Corporate & Individual Donations Allowed

To mail in a donation, download the Financial Support and Endorsement Commitment document here.  

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Register to Vote
Voting Locations

Propositions Ballot Language

Fort Bend ISD – Proposition A

THE ISSUANCE OF $1,161,590,000 OF BONDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, ACQUISITION, CAPITAL RENOVATION, AND EQUIPMENT OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS IN THE DISTRICT, FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE NECESSARY SITES FOR SCHOOL BUILDINGS, FOR THE PURCHASE OF NEW SCHOOL BUSES WITH EMERGENCY, SAFETY, OR SECURITY EQUIPMENT, AND FOR THE PURCHASE OF RETROFITTING OF VEHICLES TO BE USED FOR EMERGENCY, SAFETY, OR SECURITY PURPOSES, AND THE LEVYING OF A TAX SUFFICIENT TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON THE BONDS AND THE COSTS OF ANY CREDIT AGREEMENTS EXECUTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE BONDS. THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.

◊ FOR
◊ AGAINST

Fort Bend ISD – Proposition B

THE ISSUANCE OF $52,470,000 OF BONDS FOR THE ACQUISITION OR UPDATE OF DISTRICT TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT, INCLUDING STUDENT, TEACHER, AND STAFF DEVICES, AND THE LEVYING OF A TAX SUFFICIENT TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON THE BONDS AND THE COSTS OF ANY CREDIT AGREEMENTS EXECUTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE BONDS. THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.

◊ FOR
◊ AGAINST

Fort Bend ISD – Proposition C

THE ISSUANCE OF $22,900,000 OF BONDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, ACQUISITION, AND EQUIPMENT OF A DISTRICT NATATORIUM, AND THE LEVYING OF A TAX SUFFICIENT TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON THE BONDS AND THE COSTS OF ANY CREDIT AGREEMENTS EXECUTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE BONDS. THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.

◊ FOR
◊ AGAINST