Elkhart ISD calls for $27.5M bond to renovate schools

ELKHART, Texas (KETK) – Elkhart ISD is asking voters to approve a $27.5 million bond to modernize and renovate facilities at its elementary, intermediate and middle school campuses in the May 2 election.

“A bond is like a home mortgage for the school district. It allows the district to borrow money for large, long-term projects and pay it back over time,” Elkhart ISD explained. “Bonds fund long-term capital projects and infrastructure, but legally can’t be used for operations or salaries.”

According to the district, the $27.5 million bond would fund the following items:

Middle School Additions/Renovations
Renovation and expansion of the cafeteria and kitchen
New band hall addition with supporting space
Gym renovations
Library renovation to meet district educational standards for academic integration
Classroom space reconfiguration and modernization
Secure entry improvements
Exterior classroom windows
Site and Traffic Improvements
Address traffic concerns at the main campus for pickup and drop-off circulation.
Fencing and campus boundary improvements to improve safety and security measures.
Maintenance Project Renovations
Roofing
Finishes
Plumbing
Electrical
HVAC (Air Conditioning/Heating)
Building Protection Systems

For homeowners without an age-65 homestead exemption, the bond would cause their I&S tax rate to go up by around 26.41 cents. The district pointed out that its total tax rate has fallen by about 25 cents over the past six years, so the tax rate would only increase by about a cent from where it was in 2020.

To learn more or to calculate your home’s potential tax change if the bond passes, visit Elkhart ISD’s bond website.