Huckabee is committed to success of ALL students and profound impact it has on
We are MORE THAN architects. We are a team of experts, each focused on a unique aspect of education, standing beside you as we work toward a common goal: the success of ALL STUDENTS.
the and the ALL of us.
Huckabee is part of MOREgroup, a family of architecture, design, and engineering brands that collaborate with passion and purpose to serve communities across the nation.
With MOREgroup, we are proud to focus on spaces that make a profound contribution to a strong social infrastructure where generations thrive. Our brands serve education, healthcare, and public architecture clients to create environments that inspire!
Together, we are more, and we are poised to leave an impact of excellence on the communities we serve. To learn more, visit: wearemore.com.
CONTENTS
WHO WE ARE
At Huckabee, we understand the importance of engaging your community during elections to shape the future of education and community infrastructure. Our goal is to provide school districts with the tools, resources, and guidance they need to communicate effectively and engage their communities.
This collection of work highlights our diverse range of graphic design services tailored to meet the unique needs of each school district. From graphics and professional logos to informative campaign materials and engaging digital content, we are dedicated to helping school districts communicate effectively with stakeholders.
Through collaboration and creativity, we strive to help our partners meet their election and community engagement-related goals, ensuring that the voices of educators, parents, and students are heard and valued. We invite you to explore some of our work and envision the possibilities for your district’s communication and collaboration efforts with your stakeholders. Together, we will create the foundation for a bright future for your community.
RECENT SUCCESSFUL BOND HISTORY
Since 2019, more than 50 school districts have successfully passed bond elections with Huckabee’s community engagement team involved in the communication and campaign process. We have included a list of recent elections here.
Cedar Hill ISD
Elgin ISD
Everman ISD
Georgetown ISD
Grapevine-Colleyville ISD
Mansfield ISD
Poteet ISD
Sulphur Springs ISD
Willis ISD
Duncanville ISD
Lewisville ISD
Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD
Northwest ISD
La Porte ISD
Jarrell ISD
Comal ISD
Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD
Brock ISD
Plano ISD
Pflugerville ISD
Little Elm ISD
Fredericksburg ISD
Pottsboro ISD
Krum ISD
Granger ISD
Belton ISD
Aubrey ISD
Argyle ISD
Alvarado ISD
Montgomery ISD
$282.4 million | 63% for May 2024
$375 million | 64% for May 2024
$67 million | 58% for May 2024
$649.5 million | 65% for May 2024
$150 million | 61% for May 2024
$588.5 million | 53% for May 2024
$65 million | 56% for May 2024
$157 million | 72% for May 2024
$102.7 million | 55% for May 2024
$170 million | 64% for November 2023
$960 million | 61.7% for November 2023
$979 million | 58% for November 2023
$1.995 billion | 58% for May 2023
$235 million | 76% for May 2023
$324 million | 75% for May 2023
$588 million | 58% for May 2023
$716 million | 64% for May 2023
$69 million | 58% for May 2023
$1.172 billion | 55% for November 2022
$291 million | 56% for November 2022
$289 million | 65% for November 2022
$82 million | 70% for May 2022
$62 million | 54% for May 2022
$244 million | 63% for May 2022
$44 million | 60% for May 2022
$174 million | 50.1% for May 2022
$385 million | 64% for May 2022
$267 million | 61% for May 2022
$125 million | 69% for May 2022
$326 million | 63% for May 2022
* Where multiple propositions passed, the percentage represents an average pass rate.
PORTFOLIO Committee
WHAT IS A BOND?
A bond is similar to a home mortgage. It is a contract to repay borrowed money with interest 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. Most school districts in Texas utilize bonds to finance renovations and new facilities, and buy new school buses.
HOW CAN BOND FUNDS BE USED?
Bond funds can be used to pay for new buildings, additions and renovations to existing facilities, land acquisition, technology and infrastructure, and equipment for new or existing buildings and departments. Bonds cannot be used for salaries or operating costs such as utility bills, supplies, building maintenance, fuel and insurance.
WHY DO DISTRICTS CALL A BOND ELECTION?
School districts are required by state law to ask voters for permission to sell bonds to investors in order to raise the capital dollars required for projects such as building a new school. Essentially, the voters are giving permission for the district to take out a loan and pay that loan back over an extended period of time, much like a family takes out a mortgage loan for their home. A school board calls a bond election so voters can decide whether or not they want to pay for proposed projects.
WHEN CAN DISTRICTS CALL A BOND ELECTION?
Texas Election Code requires school bond elections to be held on uniform election dates, which are:
ABOUT SCHOOL TAXES
First Tuesday (after the first Monday) in November • First Saturday in May
Public school taxes involve two figures, which divide the school district budget into two “buckets.”
HOW DOES GRAPEVINE-COLLEYVILLE ISD DECIDE WHEN TO CALL AN ELECTION AND WHAT TO INCLUDE?
The first bucket is the Maintenance and Operations budget (M&O), which funds daily costs and recurring or consumable expenditures such as teacher and staff salaries, supplies, food and utilities. Approximately 88% of Grapevine-Colleyville ISD’s M&O budget goes to teacher and staff salaries.
In order to realize our vision, create opportunities for students, and maintain competitiveness, we must plan for the future. This includes maintaining our facilities and ensuring we have funding needed to provide high-quality learning spaces and experiences for our students. As our facilities continue to age, we monitor and update our master facility plan to ensure our spaces meet current requirements and expectations of the communities we serve. The district will use assessment data, a lifecyle replacement schedule, and input from the Bond Advisory Committee before determining what projects to include. A May 2024 bond would allow the district to continue funding capital projects needed to maintain safety, security and systems critical to the operations of buildings, and address systems that have reached the end of their useful life.
The second bucket is the Interest and Sinking Fund (I&S), also known as Debt Service, and that is used to repay debt for capital improvements approved by voters through bond elections. Proceeds from a bond issue can be used for the construction and renovation of facilities, the acquisition of land and the purchase of capital items such as equipment, technology and transportation. By law, I&S funds cannot be used to pay M&O expenses, which means that voter-approved bonds cannot be used to increase teacher salaries or pay rising costs for utilities and services.
Separate Ballot Requirement - Senate Bill 30
Since GCISD’s last bond election, Senate Bill 30 requires separate propositions for:
• Stadium with seating for more than 1,000
• Natatorium
• Recreational facility other than a gym, playground or play area
Performing Arts Facility
Housing for teachers
Technology equipment other than security or infrastructure
This includes “the construction, acquisition, or equipment of …”
This was part of Senate Bill 30 that was passed in 2019.
About School District Tax Rates
About School Bond Elections
Process
GODLEY ISD Empowering Students to Lead
The Godley ISD Board of Trustees and administration are inviting you to engage in committee work this school year. Typically committees meet over a the course of a few weeks and then make a recommendation on their work to the GISD Board of Trustees for action.
The success of Godley ISD rests on the engagement of the diverse individuals and interests from across our growing community. You are invited to nominate yourself or encourage someone you know to complete the short online application to indicate your interest in joining our efforts. I hope you will apply!
Dr. Rich Dear Godley ISD Superintendent
Piecing Together a STRONG Committee
A Variety of Stakeholders
• Adults of all ages
• GISD student leaders
GISD teachers
GISD administrative staff
GISD support staff
• Godley- area business owners
• Godley community and civic leaders
• Leaders of Godley’s faith-based communities
With These Qualities
The Facilities Planning Committee Charge:
A diverse, yet cohesive Committee allows GISD to hear from and incorporate many different perspectives from across the community.
Meetings
Represent the entire community in the facility planning process Assist GISD in assessing and prioritizing the District’s current and long-term facility needs.
• Consider the educational needs of all students and align recommendations with GISD’s core beliefs, vision, mission and goals
And A Variety of Experiences and Viewpoints
• Supportive of GISD Beliefs and Goals
• Consider the district’s current financial position and funding methods to develop a recommendation that is fiscally sound Report their findings to the Godley ISD Board of Trustees that will include recommendations on how to proceed.
• Connected and respected in the community
• Works well with others
• Ready to speak up or take action
Meetings will take place Wednesdays from 5:30 pm-8 pm and rotate through the district. Dinner will be served from 5:30 pm-6:00 pm.
Childcare will be available.
Meeting Schedule:
• Born and raised in the community
• New to the community
The Facilities Planning Committee Selection Process:
Mindful of the needs of all students
Keeps the interests of the district front of mind
• Has some understanding of public schools and public school finance (or is willing to learn)
• Business-minded Education-minded Balance of leaders, followers, “worker bees”
Current Committee Members – All current committee members will be invited to continue serving on the committee. The current committee makeup will be reviewed to assess representation and identify gaps (neighborhoods, age groups, interest groups and other skills and knowledge that are currently missing from the committee makeup).
The best committee members are willing to share their opinions during discussion AND ready to show their support when consensus is reached.
Submissions from the Community – Anyone living within the boundaries of the GISD attendance zone may submit their name for consideration to serve on the Facilities Planning Committee. Use the link below to complete the application online.
New Appointments – District leadership will review applications and select new members that satisfy the committee criteria and represent groups that aren’t already represented.
BOND 101
ABOUT SCHOOL BOND ELECTIONS
WHAT IS A BOND?
A bond is similar to a home mortgage. It is a contract to repay borrowed money with interest 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. Most school districts in Texas utilize bonds to finance renovations and new facilities.
HOW CAN BOND FUNDS BE USED?
Bond funds can be used to pay for new buildings, additions and renovations to existing facilities, land acquisition, technology infrastructure and equipment for new or existing buildings. Bonds cannot be used for salaries or operating costs such as utility bills, supplies, building maintenance, fuel and insurance.
WHY DO DISTRICTS CALL A BOND ELECTION?
School districts are required by state law to ask voters for permission to sell bonds to investors in order to raise the capital dollars required for projects such as building a new school. Essentially, the voters are giving permission for the district to take out a loan and pay
that loan back over an extended period of time, much like a family takes out a mortgage for their home. A school board calls a bond election so voters can decide whether or not they want to pay for proposed projects.
HOW DOES MANSFIELD ISD DECIDE WHEN TO CALL AN ELECTION AND WHAT TO INCLUDE?
In order to realize MISD’s Vision 2030, we must plan for the future, maintain our facilities, and ensure we have funding needed to provide modern learning spaces and experiences for our students. As our facilities continue to age, we monitor and update our master facility plan to ensure our spaces meet current requirements and expectations of the communities we serve. The district will use assessment data, a life cycle replacement schedule, and input from the Long-Range Planning Committee before determining what projects to include.
The Long-Range Planning Committee is critical to the long-term success of Mansfield ISD. Committee members evaluate, assess and prioritize facility needs to help ensure we are providing the best learning environments possible for all MISD students. Input from committee members is extremely valuable as we plan for the future.
ABOUT
SCHOOL TAXES
A May 2024 bond would allow the district to continue funding capital projects needed to maintain safety and security, systems critical to the operations of buildings, and address systems that have reached the end of their useful life.
Public school taxes involve two figures, which divide the school district budget into two “buckets.”
MISD VOTER-APPROVED BONDS, 2001-2017
The first bucket is the Maintenance and Operations budget (M&O), which funds daily costs and recurring or consumable expenditures such as teacher and staff salaries, supplies, food and utilities. In Mansfield ISD, payroll makes up 85% of expenditures.
The second bucket is the Interest and Sinking Fund (I&S), also known as Debt Service, and that is used to repay debt for capital improvements approved by voters through bond elections. Proceeds from a bond issue can be used for the construction and renovation of facilities, the acquisition of land and the purchase of capital items such as equipment, technology and transportation. By law, I&S funds cannot be used to pay M&O expenses, which means that voter-approved bonds cannot be used to increase teacher salaries or pay rising costs for utilities and services.
WHAT IS A BOND?
A bond is similar to a home mortgage. It is a contract to repay borrowed money with interest 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. Most school districts in Texas utilize bonds to finance renovations and new facilities.
HOW CAN BOND FUNDS BE USED?
Bond funds can be used to pay for new buildings, additions and renovations to existing facilities, land acquisition, technology infrastructure and equipment for new or existing buildings. Bonds cannot be used for salaries or operating costs such as utility bills, supplies, building maintenance, fuel and insurance.
WHY DO DISTRICTS CALL A BOND ELECTION?
School districts are required by state law to ask voters for permission to sell bonds to investors in order to raise the capital dollars required for projects such as building a new school. Essentially, the voters are giving permission for the district to take out a loan and pay that loan
BOND PROCESS
back over an extended period of time, much like a family takes out a mortgage for their home. A school board calls a bond election so voters can decide whether or not they want to pay for proposed projects.
HOW DOES SULPHUR SPRINGS ISD DECIDE WHEN TO CALL AN ELECTION AND WHAT TO INCLUDE?
In order to realize SSISD’s mission, we must plan for the future, maintain our facilities, and ensure we have funding needed to provide modern learning spaces and experiences for our students. As our facilities continue to age, we want to ensure our spaces meet current requirements and expectations of the community we serve. The district will use assessment data, a life cycle replacement schedule, and input from the Bond Planning Committee before determining what projects to include. A May 2024 bond would allow the district to fund capital projects needed to maintain safety and security, systems critical to the operations of buildings, and address systems that have reached the end of their useful life.
The Bond Planning Committee is critical to the long-term success of Sulphur Springs ISD. Committee members evaluate, assess and prioritize facility needs to help ensure we are providing the best learning environments possible for all SSISD students. Input from committee members is extremely valuable as we plan for the future.
ABOUT SCHOOL DISTRICT TAX RATES
ABOUT SCHOOL TAXES
Public school taxes involve two figures, which divide the school district budget into two “buckets.”
The first bucket is the Maintenance and Operations budget (M&O), which funds daily costs and recurring or consumable expenditures such as teacher and staff salaries, supplies, food and utilities. In Sulphur Springs ISD, payroll makes up 79.5% of expenditures.
The second bucket is the Interest and Sinking Fund (I&S), also known as Debt Service, and that is used to repay debt for capital improvements approved by voters through bond elections. Proceeds from a bond issue can be used for the construction and renovation of facilities, the acquisition of land and the purchase of capital items such as equipment, technology and transportation.
By law, I&S funds cannot be used to pay M&O expenses, which means that voter-approved bonds cannot be used to increase teacher salaries or pay rising costs for utilities and services.
SULPHUR SPRINGS ISD BOND HISTORY
Dear Valued Cedar Hill ISD Community Member,
Thank
Your
I
Thank
Sincerely,
PORTFOLIO District
WHAT’S PROPOSED
BREAKDOWN
NO TAX RATE INCREASE
2
4
All
JOIN US TO LEARN MORE!
JOIN US TO LEARN MORE!
All CFBISD residents are invited to attend an informational presentation to learn more about the 2023 bond proposal.
Tuesday, April 4 @ 6 pm
CFBISD Voters Asked to Consider School Bond Election
VOTING: April 24 - May 2
the $716.4 million bond referendum will generate funding for state-mandated safety and security updates, replacement schools for three of the district’s oldest elementary schools, renovations to special education classrooms and support spaces, updates for early childhood education, and more.
The CFBISD total tax rate is the lowest it’s been in 31 years, and the tax rate will not increase as a result of this bond.
Site: Sulphur Springs Elementary Name: TBD
What’s Proposed for my Campus: TIMELINE CONSTRUCT TWO NEW ELEMENTARY CAMPUSES
Serve students in grades K-5
Roughly the size of the current Sulphur Springs Elementary School
Updated spaces to facilitate the needs of modern learning
Enhanced safety and security to meet current requirements
Capacity to accommodate SSISD enrollment growth
2024-2025: Collaborative Design Process to Follow Voter Approval
2025-2026: Construction
2026-2027: New Schools Potentially Open
ssisd.net/bond
5REASONS TO CONSIDER THE 2024 BOND PROPOSAL
1. STUDENT IMPACT
The 2024 bond proposal will impact learning spaces for more than 2,100 students in PreK through 5th grades, which is about half of SSISD’s student enrollment.
2. K-5 GRADE CONFIGURATION
This proposal creates K-5 elementary schools, which research shows is better for young students by eliminating multiple school transitions.
3. MODERNIZE FACILITIES
New schools and the K-5 configuration would allow SSISD to replace schools that are now 58, 65, and 70 years old.
4. MINIMAL TAX INCREASE
The maximum impact of the 2024 bond is 1/4 penny to the tax rate, which equates to $1.47 annually for the average home value in SSISD.
5. FIRST STEP IN LONGRANGE PLANNING
The 2024 bond is focused on SSISD’s oldest campuses and youngest students. Future bonds could address the middle school and high school.
DUNCANVILLE ISD
Proposition A
Renovations and Capital Improvements
• CTE addition at DHS for program expansion
• Renovations to allow for grade realignment
• Capital improvements (HVAC, lighting, roofs, energy management controls, and ADA compliance updates)
Transportation
• School bus and fuel tank replacements
School Safety and Security Updates
• Security cameras, security window film, fire panel updates, sprinkler systems, security fencing, signage, intercom system upgrades, automatic door closures, and/or new locks for all campuses
Technology Infrastructure
• Technology infrastructure and network upgrades for all campuses
Proposition B
Instructional Technology
• Interactive monitors for engaged learning and development at all campuses and facilities
Bond Breakdown
EARLY VOTING: OCT 23 - NOV 3
ELECTION DAY: TUESDAY, NOV 7
DUNCANVILLEISD.ORG/BOND2023
Tax Facts
• The Duncanville ISD total tax rate has gone down every year for the past five years.
• The bond election may affect the I&S tax rate, but the total tax rate is expected to be lower than last year.
• Property taxes for citizens age 65 or older will not be affected by this – or any –school bond election as long as the over 65 exemption is in place.
BOND BOND
ELECTION DAY: TUESDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2022
EARLY VOTING: OCTOBER 24 –NOVEMBER 4, 2022
REGISTER TO VOTE BY: OCTOBER 11, 2022
TAX INFORMATION
Due to a new state law, you will see “This is a Property Tax Increase” on your ballot. However, this election is not projected to change the district’s tax rate. This is standard language required on all school bonds. Projections indicate that LEISD can make all existing and new bond payments with the current $0.47 Debt Service tax rate.
2031.
HEB ISD currently has the lowest tax rate in the DFW area, and while this bond could increase the debt service (I&S)portion of the tax rate by 13.76 cents, the overall school district tax rate is expected to be approximately five cents lower than last year because of state compression on the operations (M&O)portion of the tax rate.
With voter approval on the November bond, the HEB ISD tax rate would still be lower than most Tarrant County school districts.
VOTERS OVER
HEB ISD property taxes for citizens aged 65 or older will not be affected by the bond election as long the over 65 exemption application has been filed with the local appraisal district.
According to state law, the dollar amount of school taxes imposed on the residence homestead of a person 65 years of age or older cannot be increased above the amount paid in the first year after the person turned 65 regardless of changes in tax rate or property value unless improvements are made to the home.
For more information on the over 65 exemption, visit the Tarrant Appraisal District website.
PORTFOLIO PAC
GCISD for A BC VOTE
Safe and Secure Campuses
Essential Facility Repairs such as roof, HVAC, electrical systems, etc.
Necessary Updates to instructional technology
Equipment and Program Updates for Career & Technical Education, Libraries, Nutrition, Fine Arts and Athletics
• Vote to keep GCISD a premier school district!
• Vote for the bonds to maintain excellent GCISD facilities that reflect the standards of our communities.
• Citizens like you served on district committees to identify the most important needs and prioritized the bond projects.
• Your school tax rate WILL NOT increase as a result of this bond election. The proposed repairs and updates are worth our investment! It’s a WIN/WIN.
A vote FOR Prop A is a vote for school safety updates and deficiency repairs of existing essential facilities.
A vote FOR Prop B is a vote to ensure our classrooms are equipped with current technology for learning.
A vote FOR Prop C will keep our Swim Center open and available for community use.
WHY VOTE FOR ALL 3 PROPS?
AVOID UNSAFE and UNSIGHTLY PORTABLE CITIES
Without this bond, portable classrooms will pop up everywhere across the district. Shared spaces like cafeterias and hallways will be overcrowded and unsafe. More families will be subject to re-zoning to balance enrollment. Vote FOR Prop A to build schools for growth.
KEEP KIDS CLOSE to “HOME”
Without this bond, student athletes and fans will be on the roads and out late on weeknights for games and other stadium events. Vote FOR Prop B to build three home stadiums and update existing athletic facilities.
UPGRADE ESSENTIAL DEVICES
Students and teachers depend on tablets and laptop computers to study, complete assignments and track progress. Nothing is more frustrating than working on old, inefficient and failing devices. Vote FOR Prop C to sell short-term bonds that will be used to purchase technology devices.
A MESSAGE FOR TAXPAYERS
THIS PROPOSAL WAS CREATED AND APPROVED BY TAXPAYERS JUST LIKE YOU.
When surveyed, voters were supportive of all three propositions.
THIS BOND WILL COST THE AVERAGE HOMEOWNER ABOUT $5 A YEAR AND BOND REVENUE STAYS IN NISD.
Revenue generated by the sale of bonds benefits our kids and benefits our local economy. When we invest in our kids and schools we are also investing in our community.
EARLY VOTING
Vote at any voting location in your county! APRIL 24-MAY 2 ELECTION DAY SATURDAY, MAY 6
SCAN TO LEARN ABOUT
We are NISD parents, community members and taxpayers who understand we
and
PAID for by
Brock Elementary and Intermediate are overcrowded and a new school will provide additional classrooms.
INVEST IN SAFER SCHOOLS.
Portable buildings are a safety risk and aren’t a longterm solution. The bond includes safety and security updates across the district.
