2023 Conroe ISD Bond Referendum Analysis
October 18, 2023 | Montgomery County, TX
The upcoming election on November 7th will include a package of four bonds for Conroe ISD totaling $2 Billion. A group of concerned CISD taxpayers, which included several Montgomery County GOP County Executive Committee (CEC) members, headed by Precinct 110 Chair Luis Pedraza, performed an analysis of the bond package.
Pedraza and others sent out several Public Information Requests (PIRs) to gain a deeper understanding of the financial implications of the bonds. Much was learned; however, it appears there are several unknowns due to an apparent lack of transparency and information provided from CISD.
Others voiced their concerns regarding CISD’s unwillingness or resistance to solving other important issues unrelated to the passage of the bonds. They wonder why the taxpayers should fund such an immense amount of debt when the district will not solve problems such as discipline and a lack of special needs services.
Finally, there are the factors of the anticipated passage of School Choice legislation and the upcoming Constitutional Amendment Election on Proposition 4 that will lower taxes but must be approved by voters. Both could affect the revenue of Texas schools.
While in general the group believes there is a need for more school buildings due to growth in Montgomery County and some schools being overcrowded, the conclusion overall is to vote AGAINST the bonds. Below is their summary.
2023 Conroe ISD Bond Package Overview
Prop A - $1.8 Billion: 8 new schools, 3 additions, 5 major renovations, 2 master plans, and various program updates. Against*
Prop B - $40 Million: Technology devices. Against*
Prop C - $113 Million: PE Classrooms, gyms, Ag Barns. Against*
PROP D - $23 Million: Outdoor pool, Natatorium refurbishments. Against*
*Too expensive, bad timing, not enough information, new and existing bonds result in $5.8 Billion overall debt.
Long-term debt: $2 Billion bond passage will result in $5.8 Billion long-term debt in principal and interest payments over 25 years, adding a huge burden on Montgomery County taxpayers. See CISD link for details:
https://www.conroeisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Conroe-ISD-Voter-Education-Material.pdfIllegal immigration factors: Growth rate/associated student enrollment data not well understood by the public largely due to illegal immigration.
Texas Senator Drew Springer (R-Dist. 30) estimates $5-$8 Billion annually to educate illegal alien children.
Imminent School Choice law: Governor Abbott has committed to passing a School Choice law giving parents a choice which will help mitigate the impact of surging enrollments. Any new bonds should be placed on hold until new law is passed.
Other issues not addressed: The 2023 bond package does not directly address the issues of teacher compensation, violence in schools, special needs deficiencies, and sexualization of our kids. There is a general impression that the bond passage will ensure salaries and future hiring practices for teachers; not true.
Poor timing: High inflation, wage stagnation, supply shortages, high interest rates, and population growth that is not well understood contribute to the poor timing of the bond proposal. The 2023 $2 Billion bond package is expensive and contains unnecessary expenditures.
Reverses property tax relief: The Texas Legislature reduced state school districts’ M&O tax rates resulting in a 15 cent reduction for Conroe ISD. Bond passage will reverse this by adding more debt and increasing taxes.
Pro-bond committee: The 2023 Bond Planning Committee majority were pro-bond CISD employees, students and residents, which was not a true representation of the Conroe ISD taxpayer base.
Revised bond package needed: 2023 Bond Referendum failure simply means another bond package would be proposed at a later date which should address wants vs. needs.
CISD FACTS - CISD basically a voting block of about 10,000 employee votes.