Election 2025 Frequently Asked Questions

Election 2025 Frequently Asked Questions

General Election 2025 Information

How did the district determine the Prop A funding priorities and Prop B bond projects?

About Prop A

Why is Temple ISD calling for a Proposition A, a voter approval tax rate election?

Safety and security is a top priority of Temple ISD. The district has identified $2.75 million in safety and security needs. Proposition A would generate approximately $2.75 million in additional annual funding, directed towards the district’s Maintenance & Operations budget for 10 additional Police Officers, dedicating a School Resource Officer (SRO) to every campus. Prop A is also proposed to fund impact-resistant film on non-student facilities as required through new TEA safety standards; perimeter fencing on several campuses; courtyard/playground fencing; fire alarm upgrades; and replacement and additional security cameras.

How much would Prop A generate?

About Prop B

Why did the district call a bond election, Proposition B?

What is the total amount of Proposition B?

What is included in the proposed bond package? How will the bond funds be used?

What projects are included in Proposition B?

General Bond Information

What happens if the proposed bond package is not approved by voters?

How soon will construction projects begin if voters approve the bond proposal on November 4?

How does the bond process work?

What are the components of the district’s tax rate?

What is a bond election?

Temple ISD does not currently receive state funding for renovating or building new schools. Instead, school districts generally do not have funds available for large capital projects, making a bond election the only option. The law provides that a school district must hold an election and get permission from voters to issue bonds and to levy taxes to pay for them. Bonds are sold to provide funding for capital improvements that last for a number of years. Such investments are usually too large to be included in annual operating budgets. Just as an individual agrees to repay a new home loan, voters authorize the District to issue and repay bonds for making major capital improvements. School boards can only levy I&S taxes in the amount necessary to repay the bonds. If the amount needed to pay the bonds is less, the district taxes less.

How can bond money be used?

When was the last bond election? How much was it? What did it include?

On May 7, 2022, voters approved a $164.8 million bond package for Temple ISD. It included:

Construction of a new elementary campus (Fine Arts Academy) in the southeast quadrant
Expansion of instructional space at three campuses - Scott Elementary, Bonham Middle School, and Temple High School
Eliminating remaining portables at seven campuses
Addition of security vestibules at three remaining campuses - Hector P. Garcia, Kennedy-Powell, and Raye-Allen
Construction of a new auxiliary services building
Program spaces for Fine Arts and CTE

Estimated Impact

What is the financial impact of Election 2025?

If approved, Prop A is expected be $4.15 per month (M&O) and Prop B is expected to be $0.77 per month (I&S) in property taxes for a home valued at $250,000. Prop A is expected to be $49.80 per year, and Prop B will be $9.24 per year.

The impact includes the most recent compression and assumes the additional $40,000 homestead exemption is approved by voters in November. The combination of compression and an additional $40,000 on top of the existing $100,000 homestead exemption will cut school property taxes for a homesteaded property with a value of $250,000. Assuming voters approve, these increases would take effect in January 2026.

*Note: for general homeowners: if the current appraised value of your residence homestead is $140,000 or less, the increase in homestead exemption would eliminate the TISD tax impact. In fact, such homesteads would not be subject to any TISD taxes.

How am I financially impacted if I’m over 65 years old?

Current homeowners ages 65 and over will not be impacted by the passage of this bond over their tax ceiling. Their school taxes will not go above the frozen dollar amount that was established when the Over-65 exemption was granted unless improvements or additions are made to the residence. To have your school taxes frozen, you must file a homestead application with the appropriate appraisal district and be granted the Over-65 exemption.

In 2025, the Texas Legislature passed significant property tax relief measures aimed at homeowners aged 65 and older. This means eligible individuals can now receive a total school tax exemption of up to $200,000 - combining the $140,000 general exemption and the $60,000 over 65/disabled exemption - if it is approved by voters in November. The existing school district tax freeze for seniors remains, ensuring that school district taxes on your home won't increase over your tax ceiling after you qualify, unless you make major home improvements.

For questions regarding the Over 65 Homestead, please contact Bell County Tax Appraisal Office on the web, or by phone at 254-933-5774.

What is the financial impact on those with the veterans homestead exemption?

Veterans who have a 100% disability rating or surviving spouses of a member of the U.S. armed services killed in the line of duty would not see an increase in taxes.

Tax Code Section 11.131 entitles a disabled veteran awarded 100 percent disability compensation due to a service-connected disability and a rating of 100 percent disabled or of individual unemployability to a total property tax exemption on the disabled veteran's residence homestead.

Tax Code Section 11.133 entitles a surviving spouse of a member of the U.S. armed services killed or fatally injured in the line of duty to a total property tax exemption on his or her residence homestead if the surviving spouse has not remarried since the death of the armed services member.

What does the ballot language say about the tax impact of the bond?

Texas state law requires all bond propositions for any school district to have the phrase “THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE’ on all ballot language.

Homeowners age 65 & older who have filed for and received the Over 65 Exemption will not see an increase over their frozen dollar amount, if there are no major improvements or additions to their residence homestead. Check your most recent Notice of Assessed Value Change to see if you will be impacted.

Role of the School District

What is the role of the school district during a bond election?

By law, the role for any school district during an election is to share factual information with the voters so the community may make an informed choice as to whether they wish to support or oppose the proposition(s).

The district should also be responsive to citizens’ questions related to the propositions and to ensure voters know when and where they have an opportunity to vote.

How can I learn more about Proposition A and Proposition B?