What is a bond?

A bond is similar to a home mortgage. It is a contract to repay borrowed money with an interest rate 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.

 

What is a bond election?

What is a bond election? It's like asking for permission to take out a loan. School districts, as per state law, need to get approval from voters to sell bonds to investors. This money is then used to renovate existing buildings or build new schools. Just like a family takes out a mortgage loan for their home, a school board calls a bond election for voters to decide if they want to pay for proposed facility projects.

 

Why do school districts need to sell bonds?

Most school districts in Texas use bonds to finance renovations and new facilities. This bond would allow the District to renovate and build District infrastructure, including school buildings, without impacting the District’s Maintenance and Operations funds, which cover things such as school programs, teachers, and staff.

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What was the outcome of the RISD Long-Range Facility Committee's evaluation?
The RISD Long-Range Facility Committee, composed of a diverse group representing the community, met six times over six months to evaluate the district's current and future needs. After thorough consideration, the committee recommended a bond of $31.715 million, which will fund a broad range of improvements across all campuses. The primary focus of the bond is enhancing safety and security, alongside providing new opportunities for students.

 

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, equipment, new or existing buildings, and large-ticket items such as school buses. Bonds cannot be used for salaries or operating costs such as utility bills, supplies, building maintenance, fuel, and insurance.

 

How is the District tax rate configured?

A school district's tax rate is comprised of two components: the Maintenance & Operations tax (M&O) and the Interest & Sinking tax (I&S). The M&O rate is used to operate the school district, including salaries, utilities, furniture, supplies, food, gas, etc. The I&S rate is used to pay off school construction bonds. Bond sales only affect the I&S rate.

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If the bond election is passed, does the school district immediately incur the debt?

The bonds do not cost the District anything until they are sold. Even though the voters approve the bond issue, no costs are incurred until the bonds are sold. This ensures that the District only incurs debt once it approves the sale of the bonds after the election.

 

My property tax bill is higher than ever; why can't the District use the district taxes I already pay to cover new construction and renovations?

When your property values increase, the District receives less funding. The state legislature has established a basic per-student allotment for general operating expenses. Any tax revenue collected above this allotment goes to the state's general budget. If the bond is approved, the increased tax funds would be allocated to the District specifically for capital improvements outlined in the bond proposals. No additional funding is provided to the schools unless tax rates are raised or average daily attendance increases.

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Is the district tearing down the Old Gym?
Generations of Eagles have played, gathered, and made memories there, and we don’t take that legacy lightly.  This bond package does NOT include tearing down the old gym. This bond is not about tearing apart Rogers’ history—it’s about renewing its best parts and ensuring our facilities continue to serve students for years to come. Like our town has grown and evolved, our schools must do the same to remain safe, functional, and competitive. We want to honor our past while investing in our future—because the traditions and spirit that make Rogers special deserve to continue for generations.
 

Why do we need a school bond?
Our schools are aging, and just like a home, they need maintenance and updates to keep students safe, comfortable, and successful.
The bond allows us to make necessary improvements without cutting teacher salaries or student programs.  Schools operate on their M&O budget set by the state, which mainly covers day-to-day expenses like teacher salaries, utilities, and supplies.
Big projects—like fixing roofs, upgrading security, or building new classrooms—require more money than the school’s yearly budget allows. These kinds of projects are funded through the interest and sinking (I&S) budget, which comes from the passing of school bonds.

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Will my taxes increase?
If both propositions A and B pass, taxes will increase the average homeowner in Rogers ISD by about $2.17 per month. The average home in Rogers is approximately $240K.
 

Why should I care if I don’t have kids in school?
Investing in our schools means investing in our town and future.  Strong schools make for a strong community—whether you have kids in school or not. Our schools shape the next generation of workers, business owners, and community leaders. The kids in these classrooms today will fix your truck, run your local businesses, take care of you at the doctor’s office, or even serve on the city council in the future.
Good schools also help keep property values up. Even if you’re not selling your home anytime soon, well-maintained schools attract families and businesses, which keeps our town thriving. 

How do we know the money will be spent responsibly?
Bond funds may only be used to finance specific projects outlined in the bond campaign. An oversight committee composed of local community members will track how the money is being spent. 

I have some concerns regarding the decision of the school to do a 30-year bond.
The bond is structured using conservative financial projections based on the district's stable, long-term property values. Property values in the district are increasing. Our community has continued to grow, and home values have increased. This helps ensure the district can repay the bond over time without unexpected financial strain.
State law requires school districts to budget responsibly. The district cannot take on debt that it wouldn’t reasonably be able to pay back. The bond wouldn’t have made it onto the ballot if it weren't financially sound.
Bonds may be set at varying lengths of repayment based on the project being funded. Additionally, early repayment of bonds is also an option if property values continue to grow in the community.
 

How Will the Bond Improve Safety for Our Students?
Student and staff safety is a top priority in this bond. Several major safety upgrades are included to address current risks and create a more secure learning environment. These improvements include:

• Creating a Secure Entry at the Middle School – A new secure entry will help control access to the building, ensuring all visitors enter through a monitored checkpoint, just like at our elementary and high schools.

• Installing a Pedestrian Safety Beacon at FM 437 – Students cross this busy highway every day, which puts them at risk. A new flashing pedestrian crosswalk beacon will alert drivers and make crossings much safer.

• Upgrading Traffic Flow & Pedestrian Safety on High Street – This road sees heavy student foot traffic between the middle school, technology building, theater, and high school. The bond will add curbs, signage, and improved traffic flow measures to protect students walking to class or activities.

• Replacing Outdated Baseball Field Lights – The current lighting system is so old that it has become a safety hazard. Upgrading to modern, energy-efficient lights will prevent electrical issues while reducing long-term maintenance costs.

• Replacing the Aging Irrigation System – The current system is outdated and unreliable, leading to safety concerns and water waste. A new system will ensure safe, well-maintained outdoor areas for students.

• Upgrading Aging Electrical Systems – Outdated electrical infrastructure can pose a fire hazard and lead to unexpected failures. This bond will address those risks by modernizing key systems across the district.

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If, for whatever reason, solar farms go bankrupt or cease to exist before the 30 years is up, who takes over the tax burden?

Front-loaded on the solar farm, they shoulder most of the tax burden.

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What does “outdoor physical education facilities” mean?
The areas where students have outdoor learning activities and physical education, for example, the practice field, baseball / softball irrigation improvements.