New Braunfels
Independent School District
Bond 2015
Based on the recommendations of the 2015 Facilities Planning Committee, the New Braunfels ISD Board of Trustees called for a bond election to be held on November 3, 2015. The proposed bond package would provide new schools for growth and address facility, safety and compliance needs of our existing facilities. The election order was approved by the Board on July 27, 2015.
The $62.8 million bond package included two (2) new elementary schools, conversion of Lone Star Elementary School into an Early Childhood Center and repairs and renovations to meet code for aging schools and the NBHS stadium. The majority of schools in NBISD are more than 50 years old.
2015 Bond Election Results
The New Braunfels ISD voters passed the $62.8 million bond referendum held on November 3, 2015. The majority of the bond program is to build two new elementary schools for growth with additional funds to address facility, safety and compliance needs of the district’s existing facilities.
The election drew 70.5 percent in favor and 29.5 percent against the bond proposition. A total of 2,906 voters were in favor of the bond and 1,218 against. A total of 4,152 ballots were cast or 13.4 percent of the 30,911 registered voters.
The official language on the bond referendum ballot was: “The issuance of up to $62,800,000 of New Braunfels Independent School District Building Bonds for the purposes of acquiring, designing, renovating, constructing, and equipping school facilities and the purchase of necessary sites for school facilities, and the levying of a tax in payment thereof.”
The unofficial canvass report showed 1,819 voters cast ballots during early voting or by absentee ballot. This equates to a 5.9 percent voter turnout. Early ballots cast resulted in 1,270 votes for the bond and 549 against, or 69.8 percent for and 30.2 percent against.
Additional Information
The last NBISD bond election was held in November 2010 for $45.3 million and was approved by voters with 75 percent in favor.
For more than a century, New Braunfels ISD has been educating the youth of this community. In that time, NBISD has grown from a small schoolhouse to 13 campuses serving more than 8,400 students. Over the past decade, NBISD has grown by 2,000 students.
Currently, four out of the eight elementary schools in NBISD are above capacity. It is anticipated that at least five out of our eight elementary schools will exceed capacity this year.
Within the next 10 years, NBISD is projected to nearly double in student enrollment. The total projected enrollment at build-out will be nearly 20,000.
Tax Information
Tax Rates in New Braunfels ISD
The majority of funding for New Braunfels ISD comes from local property taxes. A school district's property tax rate is comprised of Maintenance and Operations (M&O) tax rate and an Interest and Sinking (I&S) tax rate. M&O funds the daily operational costs of a school district and is currently $1.0133 in New Braunfels ISD. I&S is often referred to as the debt service tax rate and provides funds for payments on the voter approved debt that finances a district's facilities. Currently, the I&S tax rate in New Braunfels ISD is $0.32580.
The M&O rate is used to operate the school district, including salaries, utilities, furniture, supplies, food, gas, etc. The I&S rate is used to pay off school construction bonds. Bond sales only affect the I&S rate.
NO TAX IMPACT for Citizens Over the Age of 65
The State Property Tax Code allows for school property taxes on an individual homestead to be "frozen" at the age of 65. If you are 65 years of age or older and you have filed for the "Over 65 Homestead Exemption," there is a capped amount of school taxes to be paid. The only exception is if improvements are to be made to the home. Please contact the Comal County Appraisal District if you have questions regarding the Over 65 Homestead Exemption. For a copy of the Homestead Exemption Form, please click here.
How will the bond affect my taxes?
With a $62,799,420 bond, NBISD is projecting a 0 cent to 1 ½ cent tax increase per $100 of valuation.
| $100,000 Valuation | $200,000 Valuation | $300,000 Valuation | $400,000 Valuation |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 - $15 annually | $0 - $30 annually | $0 - $45 annually | $0 - $60 annually |
Proposed Projects
NEW BUILD
New Elementary Campuses - $49,520,000
Click here to view an informational video regarding the new elementary schools.
The New Braunfels ISD 2015 Bond Proposal includes the costs for building two (2) additional elementary schools in direct response to growth in kindergarten through fifth grades. Of the existing eight (8) elementary schools in NBISD, five (5) are expected to exceed capacity next fall (2015). One elementary is being planned on the east side of IH 35 near the County Line area and the second elementary is being planned on the west side of IH 35, outside the Loop to address new growth on the west side of IH 35.
The east side elementary has a projected total cost of $23,760,000 and the west side elementary has a projected total cost of $23,760,000 with an additional $2,000,000 for extending roadways and utilities to the elementary site. See the architectural renderings below of the elementary schools. Each school will vary in color and building materials to give the campuses a unique look.
RENOVATIONS
Conversion of Lone Star to Early Childhood Center - $1,320,000
The bond calls for conversion of Lone Star Elementary to provide a centralized Early Childhood Center for our Pre-K Students. With a total of approximately 250 PK students in the District, conversion of one of the district’s older and smallest schools with a capacity of 370 students would support our growing PK needs in the district. Plans are to repurpose Lone Star to NBISD’s Early Childhood Center with an environment suitable and supportive of Pre-Kinder and PPCD students needs.
Renovations at New Braunfels High School - $5,020,620
Repairs at NBHS will include facade work, roofing replacement, restrooms renovations and replacement of exterior doors.
Renovations at Unicorn Stadium - $5,629,800
Several facilities and structures at Unicorn Stadium have been recommended for replacement or upgrades in order to bring the facilities up to current code requirements and safety standards. This includes the replacement of the visitor’s stands, all of the restroom facilities, the ticket booths and most of the concession buildings.
Flooring Upgrades/Replacement - $55,000
The cafeteria flooring at County Line, Walnut Springs and Memorial Elementary schools will be replaced.
Roofing at DAEP - $121,000
The roof at the Disciplinary Alternative Education Program School (DAEP) located on San Antonio Street will be replaced.
Elementary Furniture Upgrades - $1,133,00
The 4th and 5th grade classrooms at all eight (8) elementary schools in NBISD will be upgraded with new student furniture that allows for collaborative learning and has a more modern and ergonomic design. To view the current school furniture and the possible concept furniture, click here.
Total 2015 Bond Projected Cost - $62,799,420
Resources
VIDEO: PROPOSED NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
NBISD BOND INFORMATION MEETINGS
September 29, 2015
6 p.m.
Oak Run Middle School Library
415 Oak Run Point
October 13, 2015
6 p.m.
New Braunfels Middle School Library
4150 Klein Meadow
NBISD Superintendent Randy Moczygemba will be hosting two Bond Information Meetings for the public to share a short presentation and video about the proposed projects included in 2015 Bond Program.
FAQ
- What is a bond?
A bond is similar to a home mortgage. It is a contract to repay borrowed money with an interest rate over time. Bonds are sold by a school district to competing lenders to raise funds to pay for the costs of construction, renovations and equipment. The district does not receive funding from the state for construction of new school buildings or facility improvements.
- How can bond money be used?
Bond money may be used for new schools and facilities, expansion and renovations of existing facilities, furniture, technology, equipment, busses and new school sites. However, NBISD does not use bond money to cover technology or purchase transportation vehicles.
- How is bond money restricted?
Bond money can only be used for capital improvements and related costs. It may not be used for employee salaries, utilities, and other such operating expenses.
- How did NBISD determine which projects would be proposed for a bond?
The New Braunfels Independent School District believes education is a joint partnership with the community. In November of 2014, the Board of Trustees formed a Facility Planning Committee comprised of employees, parents, and community members to develop a comprehensive plan for current and future facilities.
- What does the proposed bond election address?
The proposed bond package would provide two (2) new elementary schools for growth and address facility, safety and compliance needs of our existing facilities.
- Has NBISD been experiencing growth?
Yes, there is limited space at the elementary schools and 5 will exceed capacity in the fall of 2015. In the past decade, NBISD’s student enrollment had grown by 2,000. Just 10 years ago, the enrollment count was 6,431 and this past school year the enrollment was up to 8,442. With help from expert demographers, it is estimated that NBISD will grow to more than 15,500 students by 2024. That means the district could nearly double in size in a decade.
- If we are growing so fast, when can we expect the new schools be completed?
Once the bond passes, the process will start with the bid process in early 2016 with construction to be completed and ready for students in the fall of 2017.
- If the schools will not be completed until 2017 and the elementary schools will be at capacity in the fall of 2015, what will we do with the students?
Students may have to overflow from their home campus to other campuses with space, special teachers may “double-up” or “float” and science labs/art rooms/computer labs may need to function as classrooms. There is also room for portable buildings to be placed at some of the existing elementary schools until the new schools are ready.
- When will Lone Star be opened as an Early Childhood Center?
Lone Star will continue to serve Pre-K through 5th graders as an elementary school through May 2017. That summer, the renovations will take place and be completed in time for the first day of school as an Early Childhood Center serving Pre-K and PPCD students in August 2017. We do not anticipate closing Lone Star at anytime to make the transition.
- Where will those students that are currently zoned to attend Lone Star Elementary attend in the fall of 2017?
NBISD will begin work on the rezoning process for elementary schools in the fall of 2016. This will allow the district to notify patrons in the spring of 2017.
- When was the last time NBISD funded projects through a bond election?
The District’s last bond was in November of 2010 for $45 million. It was used to build New Braunfels Middle School (located on Klein Meadow), a new transportation facility and funded improvements district wide.
- What will happen to my property taxes if the bond is approved?
With a $62,799,420 bond, NBISD is projecting a 0 to 1 ½ cents increase per $100 of valuation of your home. Roughly for a house with a value of $200,000 you may expect an increase of $0 to $30 per year.
- Would this bond proposal have any impact on taxes paid by home owners age 65 and older?
No. The property taxes of those 65 and older with a “65 and Older Homestead Exemption” would not be affected. Taxes of those receiving 65 and older homestead exemption are frozen at their present rate for as long as you own and occupy your home.
- Who is eligible to vote in this election?
Any registered voter that resides within the school district boundaries is eligible to vote in the bond election.
- Can I still register to vote in the election?
The deadline for voter registration is Monday, October 5, 2015. If you are not registered to vote by this deadline, then you are not eligible to vote in this election. You must be a resident of NBISD in order to vote in the bond election.
- After I have registered, when will I receive my Voter Registration Card?
You should receive a Voter Registration Card within 30 days. On Election Day, please bring your Voter Registration Card and photo ID to your local polling place.
- Do I need to present an ID when I vote?
Yes, in 2011, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 14 (SB 14) creating a new requirement for voters to show photo identification when voting in person.
Acceptable forms of photo ID:
Texas driver license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
Texas personal identification card issued by DPS
Texas concealed handgun license issued by DPS
United States military identification card containing the person’s photograph
United States citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph
United States passport
With the exception of the U.S. citizenship certificate, the identification must be current or have expired no more than 60 days before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place.
- If I have any additional questions, whom can I contact at NBISD?
For more information, call (830) 629-8540.