How do Texas public schools rate in terms of taxpayer trust?
The November 2015 election results for bond referendums indicated exceedingly high levels of trust of Texas public schools.
As shown in the table below, voters approved 98.4% of the dollars requested by Texas public schools in November 2015, exceeding rates for cities and counties. The category “Other” is comprised of various sewer, water and utility districts, which also showed high levels of support.
Bond Referendum Election Results for November 3, 2015 for Texas Local Political Subdivisions
|
Type of Entity
|
# of Elections
|
Amount
|
Pass
|
Fail
|
$$
Percent Pass
|
|
Public Education
|
44
|
$6,846,570,000
|
$6,738,170,000
|
$108,400,000
|
98.4%
|
|
Counties
|
7
|
$1,557,875,000
|
$1,270,600,000
|
$287,275,000
|
81.6%
|
|
Cities
|
16
|
$767,095,920
|
$698,490,920
|
$82,000,000
|
91.1%
|
|
Other
|
17
|
$1,936,336,009
|
$1,926,336,009
|
$10,000,000
|
99.5%
|
|
Total
|
84
|
$11,107,876,929
|
$10,633,596,929
|
$487,675,000
|
|
For the year 2015, Texas public schools enjoyed a high overall voter approval for dollars requested, as shown in the table below. The overall bond referendum approval rate exceeds that for a majority of years in the past decade. Congratulations to all of the Texas public schools that passed bond referendums in 2015!
Bond Referendum Election Results for Texas Public Schools for May and November 2015
|
Election Date
|
# of Elections
|
Amount
|
Pass
|
Fail
|
$$
Percent Pass
|
|
May-15
|
88
|
$4,527,729,046
|
$3,313,433,471
|
$1,214,295,575
|
73.2%
|
|
November-15
|
44
|
$6,846,570,000
|
$6,738,170,000
|
$108,400,000
|
98.4%
|
|
132
|
$11,374,299,046
|
$10,051,603,471
|
$1,322,695,575
|
88.4%
|
Why do districts issue debt?
There are a variety of needs that may require the funding provided by bonds, but they will primarily fit into one of four categories:
- High Growth/Fast Growth School Districts
- Stable or Manageable Growth but Aging Facilities
- Expiring Life Cycle of Major Plant – Major Repairs Needed
- Significant Equipment Needs, such as Buses and Technology
To read more on “Why do districts issue debt?” click on the link below.
http://www.tasbo.org/personifymainorgsite/resource/finance/bonds