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Frequently Asked Questions
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.
A bond election is like asking for permission to take out a loan. School districts, as per state law, need to get approval from voters to sell bonds to investors. This money is then used to renovate existing buildings or build new schools. Just like a family takes out a mortgage loan for their home, a school board calls a bond election for voters to decide if they want to pay for proposed facility projects.
The LISD facility committee was diverse and represented a cross-section of our community. The committee reviewed all district facilities, school finance, and construction budgets, and potential projects when forming their recommendation. After months of meetings, the committee presented this recommendation to the board.
Bond funds can be used to pay for new buildings, additions, and renovations to existing facilities, land acquisition, technology infrastructure, equipment, new or existing buildings, and large-ticket items such as school buses. Bonds cannot be used for salaries or operating costs such as utility bills, supplies, building maintenance, fuel, and insurance.
A school district's tax rate is comprised of two components: the Maintenance & Operations tax (M&O) and the Interest & Sinking tax (I&S). 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, by law, the I&S tax rate cannot be used for salaries or ongoing operating expenses. The M&O tax rate funds salaries, utilities, student learning supplies, and other operational expenses. The State dictates the M&O tax rate and the amount of money the district receives from it.
Property values are determined by your county’s Appraisal District (CAD). Leon ISD and the CAD are not affiliated, and they are governed by separate boards of trustees. LISD plays no role in determining property values.
Although the district has a healthy fund balance, it is not sufficient to cover multi-million-dollar projects. The fund balance is designated for operating expenses, including teacher salaries and other routine costs.
Leon ISD residents 65 and older, who have properly applied and qualified for the exemption, will have their tax bill frozen, unaffected by future appraisal or tax rate increase. However, significant improvements to your homestead may impact your bill.
This money is unrestricted and can be used for any operating expense. This can include student programs, districtwide maintenance, teacher and staff salaries, and other general operating expenses.
If the VATRE does not pass, the overall tax rate will be 3 cents lower than if it were to pass.
According to state law, VATREs may only be on a November ballot.
If the VATRE does not pass, the district could place it on the ballot no sooner than November 2027.
Anyone who is a registered voter and lives within Leon ISD district boundaries is eligible to vote in this election.
You can check your registration at VoteTexas.gov. County election officials manage the county voter registration lists and have the most current information about your registration. When in doubt, contact your county voter registrar directly.
Yes, you can still vote. Just be sure to update your address before the October 5 voter registration deadline.
Fill out a voter registration application before October 5. You can print, sign, and mail it to your local voter registrar or submit it in person. If you have a state ID or driver’s license, you might also be able to update your info online.
If you have questions, contact your local voter registrar—the election official responsible for your county’s voter registration list.
That depends on where you moved.
If you moved to a different county, you might be able to vote with a limited ballot during early voting. This ballot could include state and federal races but not local races, which isn’t ideal for a bond. A poll worker can guide you on how to get one at the county’s main early voting site.
On Election Day, limited ballots are not available for voters who moved from another county and didn’t update their registration in time.
Election day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
The last day to register to vote for the November 3rd election is Monday, October 5th.
Early voting is October 19-30.