LOOK HOW Prosper has GROWN!

 Prosper ISD is the fastest-growing school district in the DFW area, enrolling 3,000 new students each year. Since 2002, Prosper ISD has grown from 1,000 students and three campuses to over 28,000 students and 25 campuses in 2023.

ZERO TAX RATE IMPACT

Passage of this bond package will not change the tax rate.

“The fastest growing school district in North Texas.” – WFAA Channel 8

The current tax rate is lower than in 2014.

Passage of this bond package will not change the tax rate.

ELECTION INFO

By a unanimous vote, the Prosper ISD Board of Trustees passed a measure to place a bond referendum comprising four propositions on the upcoming November ballot.

EARLY VOTING: October 23, 2023, through November 3, 2023
ELECTION DAY: Tuesday, November 7, 2023

IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT BALLOT LANGUAGE

A new state law requires all school bond referendum propositions to include ballot language that reads, “This is a property tax rate increase.”

Despite the ballot language, passage of the bond package will NOT result in an increase in the property tax rate.

Prosper ISD has received the highest rating possible from the state for financial transparency and will continue to work hard for our taxpayers.

Collin County

Early Voting

October 23-27, 2023: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
October 28, 2023: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
October 29, 2023: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
October 30-November 3, 2023: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm

Eligible Collin County registered voters may vote at any Early Voting location identified on the county’s website.

District location:
Prosper Town Hall, Community Room
250 W. First St.
Prosper 75078

Main location:
Collin County Elections, Voting Room
2010 Redbud Blvd., Suite 102
McKinney 75069

Election Day
Registered voters of this County will be able to cast their Election Day ballots at any of the Vote Centers identified on the County’s website.

District location:
Prosper Town Hall, Community Room
250 W. First St.
Prosper, TX 75078

ELECTION DAY

Registered voters of this County will be able to cast their Election Day ballots at any of the Vote Centers identified on the County’s website.

District location:
Prosper Town Hall, Community Room
250 W. First St.
Prosper, TX 75078

Denton County

Early Voting

October 23-28, 2023: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
October 29, 2023: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
October 30-November 3, 2023: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm

Eligible Denton County registered voters may vote at any Early Voting location identified on the county’s website.

Main location:
Denton County Elections Administration, Room A111
701 Kimberly Dr.
Denton, TX 76208

Early Voting locations closest to the District include:

  • Frisco Fire Station #4, Training Room, 4485 Cotton Gin Rd., Frisco, TX 75034
  • Frisco Fire Station #7, Training Room, 330 W. Stonebrook Pkwy., Frisco, TX 75036
  • Frisco Government Center, Community Room, 5533 FM 423, Frisco, TX 75036
  • Frisco ISD Transportation West Facility, Atrium, 10701 Dallas Pkwy., Frisco, TX 75034
  • Little Elm Town Hall, Council Conference Room, 100 W. Eldorado Pkwy., Little Elm, TX 75068

ELECTION DAY

On election day, voters must vote in their precinct where registered to vote. Precincts in the District (1015, 1016, 1017, 9102) vote at the Artesia Community Center, Amenity Center Main Room, 1550 Artesia Blvd., Prosper, TX 75078.

are you registered to vote?

Collin County residents can CLICK HERE to find out.

Denton County residents can CLICK HERE to find out.

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

The passage of all four bond propositions would not increase the district’s current tax rate.

This will keep the Prosper ISD tax rate lower than at the beginning of 2021 and $0.41 lower than in 2014. 

PROPOSITION A

Proposition A addresses growth through new construction of schools, modernization of older campuses & district facilities, safety & security improvements, and technology infrastructure enhancements.

PROPOSITION B

Proposition B is focused on advancing education through technology by providing new devices for students, teachers, and staff, ensuring everyone has the tools they need for a modern, technology-driven learning environment.

PROPOSITION C

Proposition C is dedicated to improving and expanding the district’s athletic facilities, including the construction of a new Districtwide Stadium with seating for 8,000 and an 8-lane track and renovations to turf and tracks at existing facilities.

PROPOSITION D

Proposition D is designed to foster the arts by allocating funds for the construction of a New Performing Arts Center, providing a state-of-the-art space for students to pursue and showcase their talents in dance, theater, music, and the visual arts.

WHY FOUR PROPS? Prosper ISD is complying with legislative changes made in 2019, which require school districts to divide bond elections into separate ballot propositions based on what is being financed.

LONG RANGE PLANNING

As part of the district’s conservative management of finances and facilities, the Prosper ISD commissioned a community-led Long Range Planning Committee in 2023 to develop a long-term capital program through a series of collaborative meetings.

The goal of the Long Range Planning Committee was to ensure students in Prosper ISD continue to have access to modern classrooms and innovative programs.

The community-led committee of nearly 80 parents, grandparents, teachers, staff, business, and community leaders from across Prosper ISD reviewed demographic data, housing information, and a comprehensive facilities study. After months of extensive study, the committee developed comprehensive bond recommendations to reflect the wishes of the Prosper ISD community for the next 5-7 years. The LRP Committee presented its report to the Board of Trustees in June 2023 for its consideration.

DID YOU KNOW?

When our current senior class was entering kindergarten, Prosper ISD had only 3,000 students.

We’ve added 25,000 since then.

HAVE A QUESTION?

“We sincerely appreciate the Long Range Planning Committee’s dedicated members, including parents, grandparents, teachers, and staff, from all corners of the school district. Their thoughtful and comprehensive work in formulating recommendations is commendable, as it aims to enrich the lives of our Prosper ISD students, staff, families, and community.”

Bill Beavers

Board of Trustees President

Prop a - $2,439,575,000

BUILD NEW SCHOOLS & SUPPORT FACILITIES
$1,775,915,123

  • 6 new elementary schools
  • Second Early Childhood School
  • 2 new middle schools
  • High School #5
  • Complete Richland High School (High School #4)
  • Outdoor Learning Center
  • Administration & Professional Learning Center

MODERNIZE OLDER SCHOOLS & FACILITIES
$417,887,931

  • Update 8 Schools: Baker Elementary School, Cockrell Elementary School, Folsom Elementary School, Light Farms Elementary School, Rucker Elementary School, Reynolds Middle School, Rogers Middle School, Prosper High School
  • Expand 4 Schools: Rucker Elementary School, Reynolds Middle School, Rogers Middle School, Prosper High School
  • UPDATE current administration building for alternate use
Baker Elementary School

CAMPUS REFRESH ITEMS

  • Refresh or Replace all Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Systems
  • Refresh Classroom and Hallway Surfaces including Floor Tile, Carpet, and Repaint the Walls
  • Update Life Safety Systems and Upgrade Security Cameras
  • Refresh Roof and Decking Systems
  • Replace Joint Sealants and Upgrade Insulation
  • Ensure all lighting systems are LED
  • Repair Irrigation and replace vegetation and landscaping
  • Upgrade student and adult furniture
Cockrell Elementary School

CAMPUS REFRESH ITEMS

  • Refresh or Replace all Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Systems
  • Refresh Classroom and Hallway Surfaces including Floor Tile, Carpet, and Repaint the Walls
  • Update Life Safety Systems and Upgrade Security Cameras
  • Refresh Roof and Decking Systems
  • Replace Joint Sealants and Upgrade Insulation
  • Ensure all lighting systems are LED
  • Repair Irrigation and replace vegetation and landscaping
  • Upgrade student and adult furniture
Folsom Elementary School

CAMPUS REFRESH ITEMS

 

  • Refresh or Replace all Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Systems
  • Refresh Classroom and Hallway Surfaces including Floor Tile, Carpet, and Repaint the Walls
  • Update Life Safety Systems and Upgrade Security Cameras
  • Refresh Roof and Decking Systems
  • Replace Joint Sealants and Upgrade Insulation
  • Ensure all lighting systems are LED
  • Repair Irrigation and replace vegetation and landscaping
  • Upgrade student and adult furniture
Light Farms Elementary School

CAMPUS REFRESH ITEMS

 

  • Refresh or Replace all Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Systems
  • Refresh Classroom and Hallway Surfaces including Floor Tile, Carpet, and Repaint the Walls
  • Update Life Safety Systems and Upgrade Security Cameras
  • Refresh Roof and Decking Systems
  • Replace Joint Sealants and Upgrade Insulation
  • Ensure all lighting systems are LED
  • Repair Irrigation and replace vegetation and landscaping
  • Upgrade student and adult furniture
Rucker Elementary School

If voters approve the 2023 Bond, Rucker Elementary will be completely rebuilt with a brand new floor plan that will serve as the model for future elementary construction. It will be a state-of-the-art facility with collaborative spaces to meet students’ learning needs as they prepare for the future.

Reynolds Middle School

CAMPUS REFRESH ITEMS

  • Refresh or Replace all Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Systems
  • Refresh Classroom and Hallway Surfaces including Floor Tile, Carpet, and Repaint the Walls
  • Update Life Safety Systems and Upgrade Security Cameras
  • Refresh Roof and Decking Systems
  • Replace Joint Sealants and Upgrade Insulation
  • Ensure all lighting systems are LED
  • Repair Irrigation and replace vegetation and landscaping
  • Upgrade student and adult furniture

CAMPUS ADDITIONS

  • Construct Additional Classrooms to Increase Building Capacity to 1500
  • Construct a New Band Hall and Repurpose existing Band Hall into a new space for Choir, Orchestra, and Theatre
Rogers Middle School

CAMPUS REFRESH ITEMS

  • Refresh or Replace all Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Systems
  • Refresh Classroom and Hallway Surfaces including Floor Tile, Carpet, and Repaint the Walls
  • Update Life Safety Systems and Upgrade Security Cameras
  • Refresh Roof and Decking Systems
  • Replace Joint Sealants and Upgrade Insulation
  • Ensure all lighting systems are LED
  • Repair Irrigation and replace vegetation and landscaping
  • Upgrade student and adult furniture

CAMPUS ADDITIONS

  • Construct a New Competition Gymnasium and convert existing gym to a space for Dance, and Orchestra
  • Construct a New Weight Room and convert the existing space into additional locker rooms
  • Construct Additional Classrooms to Increase Building Capacity to 1500
  • Construct New Administration Offices and create a more secure front entry.
Prosper High School

CAMPUS REFRESH ITEMS

  • Refresh or Replace all Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Systems
  • Refresh Classroom and Hallway Surfaces including Floor Tile, Carpet, and Repaint the Walls
  • Update Life Safety Systems and Upgrade Security Cameras
  • Refresh Roof and Decking Systems
  • Replace Joint Sealants and Upgrade Insulation
  • Ensure all lighting systems are LED
  • Repair Irrigation and replace vegetation and landscaping
  • Upgrade student and adult furniture

CAMPUS ADDITIONS

  • Construct a New Multipurpose Facility to accommodate Cheer and Wrestling equitable to the facility at Rock Hill and Walnut Grove
  • Construct New Parking Lot to replace existing gravel lot

REINFORCE SAFETY & SECURITY MEASURES / UPGRADE TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE
$132,261,976

BUY LAND FOR 2 NEW MIDDLE SCHOOLS & 6 NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
$78,509,970

PROVIDE BUSES & VEHICLES FOR TRANSPORTATION
$35,000,000

Return to all Props

DID YOU KNOW?

%

Elementary Students Participating in the Fine Arts

%

Secondary Students Participating in the Fine Arts

%

Secondary Students Participating in Athletics

Prop B - $140,000,000

Upgrade Technology
Provide new devices for students, teachers, and staff.

Return to all Props

DID YOU KNOW?

If passed, this Bond would build 11 new schools, modernize 8 older schools, and expand 4 schools.

Every single school and student in Prosper ISD would see a benefit.

Prop C - $102,425,000

Improve and expand the district’s athletic facilities, including the construction of a new stadium with seating for 8,000 and an 8-lane track and renovations to turf and tracks at existing facilities.

The current plan is to build the second stadium at the Richland High School site (at Teel Parkway and First Street), where the district already owns land.

Return to all Props

DID YOU KNOW?

20,540 new homes have been built in Prosper ISD since 2016. 

Prop D - $125,000,000

Allocate funds for constructing a New Performing Arts Center, providing a space for students to perform in dance, theater, music, and the visual arts.

Return to all Props

EARLY VOTING STARTS IN

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Frequently Asked Questions

All school district bonds are a tax rate increase.

That’s not true. Many districts are able to issue bonds without increasing the school district tax rate. This misunderstanding is further complicated by the new legislative requirement to include the statement “This is a property tax increase” on every ballot proposition.

Will the Prosper ISD 2023 bond cause a property tax rate increase?

No. In fact, the tax rate has decreased for the past 5 years. This year’s tax rate is 18 cents lower than last year.

As Prosper ISD gains additional taxable value growth, we sell additional bonds. These are financed and paid back similar to an individual’s mortgage. The rates are dependent on the timing of the bond sale, as this authorization will have multiple bond sales over the next 5-10 years. The timing depends on the rate of taxable value growth and enrollment growth. 

 The money is coming from new taxable value in the district. This comes in the form of additional commercial tax base, additional homes, and growth on existing property. The tax rate is remaining the same, but the amount of value in the district continues to grow rapidly, which ultimately generates more funding.

 The district’s tax rate has continued to go down overall. The Interest and Sinking (I&S) side of the tax rate is at 50 cents and has been for many years. This is the cap and it cannot be increased. The previous 2019 bond was funded the same way.

If the district has had a recent bond election, they shouldn’t need another one.

In many fast-growth districts, a bond election may be needed every few years just to keep up with the growth. For example, 800 new students would fill a typical elementary school. Those students not only generate the need for additional facilities, but also buses, devices, desks and chairs, and other equipment.

It isn’t true that property tax rates are frozen for citizens 65 and older.

As long as an over-65 homestead exemption is on file, the amount of school taxes paid should not increase (unless significant improvements are made to a home). There may not be a tax ceiling for other taxing entities, so as home values increase, their tax bills increase. The additional money is going to the other entities, not the school district. The school taxes should not increase after the year the homeowner turned 65.

School districts shouldn’t carry debt.

Most school districts in Texas carry debt from bond elections because that’s how they fund construction of new schools, construction to renovate older campuses, replacement of expensive life-cycle systems, and additional capital projects.

How are Texas schools funded?

Texas school districts are primarily funded through a combination of local property tax revenue and state funds.   It’s important to note that this funding system is complex, and the specifics can change yearly as the state legislature adjusts the formulas and funding levels.

  1. Local Property Taxes:

   – Most funding for Texas school districts comes from local property taxes, primarily levied and collected by school districts.

   – Property owners within each school district pay property taxes based on the assessed value of property within each school district. These property taxes are collected by the school district’s tax office and are used to fund school district expenses and operations.

   – Each school district sets its property tax rate within certain state-mandated limits. The tax rate, when applied to the assessed property values (which are determined by the local appraisal district) in the school district, determines the local revenue available to the school district.

 

  1. State Funds:

   – The state of Texas provides funding to school districts through a combination of general revenue funds and various education-related grants and programs.

   – The Texas Legislature determines the overall amount of funding allocated to education in the state budget, and this funding is distributed to school districts based on a complex formula known as the “Foundation School Program” (FSP).

   – The FSP considers factors like student enrollment, property values, and the school district’s “target revenue,” which is the amount the state believes each school district should receive in local property taxes to provide a basic level of education.

How are local tax rates determined?

A school district’s tax rate consists of two parts:

  1. a) Maintenance and Operations (M&O), which funds the General Operating Fund, which pays for salaries, supplies, utilities, insurance, equipment, and the other costs of day-to-day operations of the school district; and
  2. b) Debt Service (Interest & Sinking or I&S), in which funds are used to pay for bonds issued for various special purposes approved by voters within the school district. For example, bonds may be issued (secured by the I&S taxes) to finance facility construction and renovation projects, acquire land, and purchase capital equipment, such as technology and buses. Unlike M&O taxes, I&S taxes levied to pay school district bonds remain the district’s property and are not subject to state recapture. The issuance of bonds secured by I&S taxes allows the school district to spread out the cost of paying for new capital improvements over time.

How was the cost for the bond determined?

New projects were priced based on current project costs and adding expected inflation. This was all evaluated by construction contractors and compared with industry expectations.

For the renovations, we engaged an architect to walk through and evaluate each of those campuses and identify all the needs and improvements. They then provided estimates based on their experience with previous school renovations and additions.

Where Does The I&S Tax Money Come From?

Like a home mortgage, the issuance of voter-approved school bonds allows a school district to borrow funds secured by the I&S tax levied on properties within the school district. The Board of Trustees authorizes bond elections, and if voters approve, Texas law grants the Board of Trustees the authority to issue bonds secured by the I&S tax.

How do Texas school districts build new schools or modernize older ones?

Through school bonds. In Texas, the issuance of school bonds allows school districts to raise funds for the acquisition, construction, renovation, equipment, and improvement of school facilities. School districts typically issue bonds to secure the necessary funds upfront and then pay back the bondholders over time with interest.  While the State of Texas contributes a small amount of funds to school districts to fund new buildings or renovations to existing buildings, the primary method of acquiring, constructing, and equipment school district facilities by a school district is through the bond election process and the issuance of school bonds, if approved by voters within the school district.

How do school bonds work?

Before most bond elections, it is common for a school district to create a volunteer citizen committee to develop a bond package for presentation and recommendation to the Board of Trustees.

The Board of Trustees may then take such recommendations under advisement and call a bond election based on the specific uses of bond monies and the estimated costs for each project that the citizen committee established.

Like a home mortgage, the issuance of voter-approved school bonds allows a school district to borrow funds secured by the I&S tax levied on properties within the school district. The Board of Trustees authorizes bond elections, and if approved by voters, Texas law grants the Board of Trustees the authority to issue bonds secured by the I&S tax.

After voter approval of a bond election, the school district Board of Trustees can proceed to issue and sell bonds by adopting a bond order authorizing the issuance, sale, and delivery of the bonds.  Such bond authorization will include the allowed sale amount for each project that was approved by voters (e.g. general school facilities, technology, stadium or performing arts facility), the timing of the bond sale, and the general financial terms of the bonds.  The bond authorization will also set forth the legal provisions providing for the repayment of the bonds from I&S taxes that are levied and collected by the school district.  The interest rates on the bonds will depend on the school district’s bond credit rating and prevailing market interest rates at the time of the bond sale.  Factors that are considered when establishing a school district’s bond credit rating include the school district’s growth, enrollment trends, bund balance history, and the overall financial record of a school district’s financial management.  The bonds may also be enhanced by qualifying for and being issued as bonds that are guaranteed by the Permanent School Fund of Texas.  Market conditions at the time of the sale of the bonds bill affect the actual interest rates on the bonds (which may be higher or lower than original estimates).

How does a school district sell bonds?

Once voters approve a specific dollar amount of bonds to be issued for a project, the district’s Board of Trustees will adopt a bond authorization providing for the sale and delivery of bonds to investors.  The sale of bonds can occur occasionally and may not exceed the maximum amount of bonds approved by voters at the bond election.

Fast-growing school districts generally issue bonds (via action by the Board of Trustees) once or twice a year.

The interest rate paid is based on the district’s bond credit rating and the market interest rates in effect at the time of the bond sale.

Districts benefit from a higher bond rating, meaning a lower interest could be charged. Principal and interest on the bonds are repaid over an extended period with funds levied and collected via the I&S tax rate.

Thus, there are two parts to any bond process:
1) a bond election is conducted to specify the maximum amount of bonds the voters authorize the district to sell, and
2) action by the Board of Trustees to authorize the sale and issuance of bonds over a period of time, with the date and amount of each sale determined by the Board of Trustees. Note that a school district is not obligated to issue all of the bonds approved at a bond election, but the school district cannot exceed the voter-approved bond authorization.

How has the legislature changed the language we see on a bond ballot?

Despite the ballot language, the passage of the bond package will NOT result in an increase in the property tax rate.  A new state law requires all school bond referendum propositions to include ballot language that reads, “This is a property tax increase.”  This language was added by the Texas Legislature for districts that struggle to meet the strict financial guidelines set by the state. However, that is not the case for Prosper ISD, as we have received the highest rating possible from the state for financial transparency.

When will additional campuses be built east of Custer Road?

In addition to student growth, the infrastructure must exist or be built in time to support new facilities.  The land east of Custer has been slower to develop due to lack of water, sewage and roads.   

While growth has occurred on the eastern side, it’s important to recognize that the pace of expansion on the western side has far exceeded it, necessitating us to erect structures west of the tollway.  Student growth dictates where and when new campuses are built.

However, there are changes slowly developing eastern side. There are ongoing infrastructure projects in the works, and we’re cautiously optimistic that these efforts will pave the way for the PISD to establish additional campuses in that area.

Why can't we pay teachers more through the bond?

The state of Texas doesn’t provide funding for facilities. By law, bond funds may not be used to fund daily operating expenses or salaries. Bond funds may only be used for capital projects approved by district voters. 

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