FAQs
BONDS
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.
WHAT IS 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 renovation to existing buildings or 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 facility projects.
LITTLE ELM ISD BOND PROPOSITION
HOW MUCH IS THE PROPOSED BOND PROPOSITION?
The Board of Trustees called a bond election in the amount of $289.5 million to be brought before voters on November 8, 2022.
Safety and Security Equipment $13,200,000
Upgrade Door Locks on All Classroom Doors
Install Weapon Detection Systems
Apply Security Window Film
Add Barriers and Fencing to Vulnerable Areas
Construction and Renovations $247,250,000
High School Additions and Renovations
Elementary School #7
Elementary School #8
Districtwide Improvements $29,050,000
Install Improved Technology Infrastructure
Purchase New Buses
Replace Playground Equipment and Play Surfaces
Fine Arts Addition and Orchestra Instruments
Interior/Exterior Updates
HOW IS THIS PROPOSAL DIFFERENT FROM WHAT WAS OFFERED IN MAY 2022?
The proposal is $109,000,000 less than the May proposal. Elementary school #9 and middle school #3 are not included in the November proposal but will likely be needed in the future. Significant upgrades to safety and security have been added to this proposal. See a side-by-side comparison of the May and November packages here.
WHEN WILL THESE PROJECTS BE COMPLETED?
View the estimated timeline here.
HOW WAS THE BOND PROPOSAL CREATED?
The Little Elm Long-Range Facilities Planning Committee reviewed and prioritized District needs relating to student population growth, building age, safety and conditions, and evolving educational deliveries and program needs. The Committee represented a broad cross section of the community, including parents, community constituents, and campus and district staff. The committee reconvened in the summer months and made a new recommendation to the Board of Trustees in August 2022. Visit the committee web page to see the committee handouts, presentations and reports.
HOW CAN I LEARN MORE?
There will be bond presentations hosted at selected campuses and at neighborhood and civic meetings. The schedule of meetings will be posted on this Web site as they are confirmed.
TAXES
HOW WILL THE PROPOSED BOND ELECTION AFFECT MY TAXES?
The LEISD tax rate is not projected to change as a result of this bond election.
WHAT IF I AM 65 YEARS OLD? HOW WILL THIS BOND ELECTION AFFECT MY TAXES?
No. If you have applied for and received the Age 65 Freeze on your homestead, by law, your school taxes cannot be raised above their frozen level.
What if I receive the “Senior Citizen Exemption” and my home value goes up, will my taxes increase?
The appraised value can change and the tax rate will change, but the amount of school taxes on your homestead cannot increase. Normal repairs, maintenance and the economic impact of the market cannot increase the amount of taxes you will pay once a tax ceiling is in place on that homestead. Therefore, if this bond election is successful, it will not have an impact on the tax bill for homesteads that are receiving the senior citizen exemption, unless you make significant improvements to your home.
VOTING
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE IN THIS ELECTION?
Any registered voter who resides within the Little Elm ISD boundaries.
CAN I STILL REGISTER TO VOTE IN THIS ELECTION?
The deadline for voter registration is October 18, 2022. If you are not registered to vote by this deadline, then you are not eligible to vote in this election. The Texas Voter Registration Application can be found online here, or applications can be picked up at any Post Office, Library or DPS location.
You should receive a Voter Registration Certificate within 30 days. On Election Day, please bring your certificate to your local polling place if you have it. However, all that is required is a valid driver’s license. For more information about required ID, click here.
WHERE CAN I VOTE?
Polling locations are TBA by Denton County. As soon as they are available, they will be added to this web page.