While the board will not vote on the bond package until August, the information gathered by the Citizen Advisory Committee will be presented at the board’s May 12 meeting for discussion, officials said in an email April 16. Trustees will then take the summer to consider the measure.
What you need to know
At its April 22 meeting, the CAC compiled an updated priority list, which includes adding a Westwood Elementary and Bales Intermediate replacement campus, FHS athletic facility improvements, agricultural center replacement, inclusive playgrounds, technology, and school bus upgrades and additions.
This bond package would also cause a tax rate increase for the 2026-27 fiscal year, although it was not relayed the exact amount the increase would be. However, a bond election amount of $150 million would create a $110 annual tax increase per $100,000 valuation of a home, and a $175 bond election would create a $140 annual tax increase per $100,000 valuation, according to CAC documents.
An increase would occur due to the interest and sinking, or I&S, rate rising. School tax rates consist of a maintenance and operation, or M&O, rate, and I&S rate combined, according to the Texas Education Agency.
I&S rates are used for debt payments that finance district facilities, or bonds, the TEA notes.
FISD’s CAC, which is composed of community members, parents, students, teachers and district officials, was formed in September to address facility and maintenance priorities.
Following the creation of the CAC, the board also approved a contract with architecture firm VLK Architects at its November meeting for architectural and engineering services.
The CAC had five meetings from mid-February to late August to discuss priorities, take facility tours and culminate a recommendation to eventually bring to the board. These meetings were also led by district and VLK officials to create a list of capital needs for the district, FISD documents note.
A closer look
At its April 22 meeting, the CAC finalized priorities for the agricultural center, the Westwood Elementary and Bales Intermediate replacement, and FHS athletic improvements.
For the agricultural center, while there is only a projected increase of three students for agriculture classes at FHS in the 2025-26 school year, there is a projected 27 student increase in the agriculture exploration program at Friendswood Junior High, according to the CAC presentation.
The current barn capacity for cattle, sheep and goats, and poultry is 10, 52 and 12, respectively. A new barn would allow 20 cattle, 100 sheep and goats, and 30 poultry, CAC documents note.
District officials also shared benefits to operating a combined pre-K through fifth grade campus. Currently, Westwood Elementary serves pre-K through second grade students, while Bales Intermediate serves third through fifth grade students, according to FISD documents.
If combined, officials noted the following benefits:
- More efficient for utilities, property insurance and operating costs
- Ongoing routine maintenance and upkeep, including fire alarms, fencing, parking areas and exterior lighting
- School security being maintained in one building versus two buildings
- Flexibility in space for growth and program changes
- Teacher collaboration across grade levels
- Simplified parent communication
- Stronger interventions and support services
Other improvements would include training and weight room expansions, according to CAC documents.
Stay tuned
The recommendation will be presented to the board at its May 12 meeting at 6:30 p.m. at its board room, located at 402 Laurel Drive, Friendswood.
The board must vote whether or not to call the bond by August. While it is not set to vote on that date, the board will have its regular meeting at 6:30 p.m., Aug. 11 at 402 Laurel Drive, Friendswood.
