Bond Overview

Burnet Consolidated Independent School District (Burnet CISD), like all public schools in Texas, relies on the support of local taxpayers to fund the construction and improvement of school facilities.

Similar to homeowners borrowing money in the form of a mortgage to finance the purchase of a home, a school district borrows money in the form of bonds to finance the design, construction, expansion, and renovations of schools and district facilities.

Bonds are approved by voters in a bond election then sold to investors in the competitive investment market.

Burnet CISD School Board has voted to hold a Bond Election on Tuesday, November 4, 2014 to fund additions to and renovations of existing facilities to address aging facilities, infrastructure and to provide equity across the District.

Bond Quick Facts

To download our BCISD Bond Quick Facts flyer, please click here.

Bond Information Mailer

To download a copy of the BCISD Bond Mailer, please click here.

Bond Information Presentation

To download a PDF version of our Bond Information Presentation, click here.

Order Calling Bond Election

To download a copy of the Order Calling Bond Election, click here.

Why Call a Bond Election?

• Extend the life of existing facilities
• Safety
• Improve Efficiency
• Expand facilities for additional Program Offerings for Students

The bond package was developed by a Community Advisory Committee, which represents a cross section of the community, including local citizens, civic and business leaders, parents, and school staff. District staff and the Committee reviewed the District’s facilities and toured every school campus. The Committee recommended the Bond proposal to the School Board in May 2014.

Bond Ballot Language

Below is the Bond Proposition as it will appear on the ballot.

What was done to prepare?

• Demographic Study
• 13-Month Facility Needs Assessment Study
• Financial Analysis
• Community Advisory Committee
• Community Advisory Committee Prioritization Survey
• Community Opinion Survey

Community Advisory Committee

The Community Advisory Committee was approved by the Board of Trustees on February 17, 2014. The Committee took the following actions:

• Reviewed all proposed projects from the facility needs assessment
• Toured all impacted campuses
• Removed $4.3M worth of projects from the original needs list for current consideration
• Formulated and presented a recommendation to the Board of Trustees on May 19, 2014

Facility Planning Process

To learn more about BCISD’s Facility Planning Process, click here.

What is Proposed?

Total Bond Proposal – $26.75M

Anticipated Projects and Spending Details (percentages are estimated):

• Safety and Security Improvements – 6%
  Secure entryways, cameras, fencing, fire alarm systems, and intercom systems
• Mechanical: HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing – 25%
  Replace older air conditioning systems, upgrade HVAC controls and lighting, renovate restrooms
• New Construction: Shady Grove, CTE Shop – 24%
  Classroom addition at Shady Grove, multi-purpose Career and Technical Education shop at High School
• Renovations – 17%
  Kitchen improvements at Shady Grove, replace exterior windows at R.J. Richey, upgrade parking and drives
• Roof Repairs and Replacement – 14%
  Roof repairs and replacements at select areas on each campus to address water infiltration
• Stadium – 6%
  Turf installation, replace existing track with 8 Lane Track
• Transportation – 5%
  Purchase 10 new 77 passenger buses to replace oldest buses in poor condition.
• Technology – 3%

Projected Projects By Campus

Total estimated apportioned funds shown per campus. Click for a detailed, itemized list of projected projects.

Tax Impact

If approved, the estimated tax impact of this Bond is 7.9 cents for a total tax rate of $1.34 (assuming stable property tax values). This represents an increase of approximately $6.58 per month per $100,000 of taxable property value.

Tax Rate Comparison

Tax Rates for Senior Citizens

Property taxes for citizens 65 years or older are NOT affected with a homestead exemption. Under state law, the dollar amount of school taxes imposed on the residence homestead of a person 65 years of age or older may not be increased above the amount paid in the first year after the person turned 65, regardless of changes in the tax rate or property value (except for later improvements).

Tax Rates for Homeowners

At its peak, the bond would cost a property owner $6.58 per month (per $100,000 of taxable property value) which is the equivalent of $0.22 per day or $78.96 per year (assuming stable property tax values).

District Overview

Located in the Hill Country, Burnet CISD encompasses over 700 square miles and serves 3,200 students at six campuses. Burnet CISD has a history of excellence in academics and extracurricular activities.

Financial Overview

• $8M in Fund Balance;
• $5.8M is set aside as Emergency Reserve
• Debt free in less than 10 years
• One of the lowest total debt per student ratio among Central Texas school districts
• Saved $2.9M over the next 10 years by refunding bonds

Student Profile

Current Student Enrollment- 3,220 Students

• White – 68%
• Hispanic – 28%
• African Americans – 1%
• Economically Disadvantaged – 58%
• At-Risk – 39%

Academic Highlights

• Nationally, one in four public school children drop out before they finish high school; In Burnet CISD the four year federal graduation rate is 98% (state average is 88%).
• All Campuses and the District Met Standard on the STAAR State Accountability System
• Students have the ability to earn up to 55 college credits while at Burnet High School
• 100% of 8^th graders that took Algebra I and Biology met standard on the End of Course Exam.