All LISD campuses have shared facilities such as libraries, cafeterias, auditoriums, lecture halls, playgrounds, gyms and practice fields. Campus staff work together now to coordinate usage of auditoriums, football fields, activity centers, gymnasiums, and other common shared spaces on campus. A 100-yard turf field can be used for practice and training for student athletics and fine arts programs, as well as for physical education classes, ROTC and special events. Some have questioned the likelihood of band or any other non-football program being able to use an indoor facility and the simple answer is: it is more likely that a variety of programs will use and share 100 yards over the 30 yards or even 50 yards that are available on some of our campuses. Bands simply cannot use a facility that is less than 100 yards. They need the full 100 yards to practice their competition show. The 100 yard facilities will make it more likely to be used by more students. When this idea was presented to the One Vision Task Force in Meeting #3 the presentation slides featured photos of LISD’s current facilities, photos of other district facilities being used in multiple ways and includes proposed site plans for where each facility will be located on each campus. View the presentation here.

The current amount of principal outstanding is $ 1,009,890,000. The Board of Trustees reviews the district’s debt mangagement plan on an annual basis. The district has made a committment to pay off debt within 20 years. Since 2014, LISD has paid off early approximately $140 Million in debt equating to $19 Million in total interest saved fore retiring debt early. At the same time over the past 10 years, LISD has had a net savings of close to $120 Million for the tax payer with Bond Refundings as a part of the district’s debt managemebnt plan. LISD has a AA+ bond rating, one of the lowest debt to Net Taxable Value ratios (2.6%) in the state, and one of the lowest Weighted Average Maturity at 6.9984.

LISD stakeholders completed an application to be a part of the task force and went through a selection process. The aim was to find representation from across the district. After a review of all applicants, a group of more than 70 stakeholders who represent a diverse group of LISD constituents from all parts of the district was selected and charged with developing a plan and potential bond package that would be recommended to the LISD Board of Trustees for consideration. The evening meetings were held at several district sites including four schools and the LISD administrative center. And several committee members took the optional bus tours to visit Purnell Transportation Center, the district operations and communications center and several athletic facilities.

By law LISD is only permitted to inform the public about the bond. Voters and citizens will see some signs reminding them about the election and encourging them to be informed about what is on the ballot. But the district is not allowed to produce and provide political advertising such as stickers or signs.

Specific proposed projects can be found at LISDbond.com/projects and can be shared on social media.

LISD serves LISD policy calls for technology bonds to be paid off in five years. So all items purchased under Proposition C will be paid off in five years or less from the time the bond is issued.

More than 1/3 of the proposal for fine arts will provide funds to replace aging instruments across the district in all programs and all grade levels. If approved, more than 1/2 of the instruments at the end of their life cycle will be replaced. In addition, the proposal will complete renovations and additions for the theater program at LHS – Harmon and the theater and band programs at Lewisville High School. As part of the 20-Year Life Cycle, Maintenance and Repair projects at Elementary and Middle Schools, art rooms and music rooms will receive updates to building components that are at the end of their useful life. These include finishes like flooring and paint, as well as stage curtain and furniture replacements. The bond proposal includes a new surface and lights for the Lewisville HS band lot. And Flower Mound HS, Hebron HS, Marcus HS and The Colony HS have band lot improvements included in the 20-Year Life Cycle Maintenance and Repair projects. The 2017 Bond program included $38M for improvements and additions to fine arts spaces and equipment. For a complete list of fine arts projects, review Prop B.

Since 2019 school districts are required to separate “special purpose” projects from “general purpose” projects and draft ballot orders accordingly. LISD “special purpose” projects are Proposition C for technology and Propositions D-G for athletics projects. LISD has voluntarily separated bonds for special purposes in the past to give the community of voters more options.

The ballot will list each of the seven propositions separately and voters can choose FOR or AGAINST for each proposition. By law requests for funds to construct or improve large stadiums, performing arts and recreation facilities, natatoriums, and technology updates must be in a separate ballot proposition and not included as part of a larger bond package for school improvements. Texas Education Code, Section 45.

In the VATRE, LISD is asking for 3 Golden Pennies which ARE NOT subject to recapture and 5 Copper Pennies that are subject to recapture.

The bonds will be publicly offered and will be available to anyone who wants to buy them. They will just need to contact their broker when the district goes to market.

The bond project list was determined by the One Vision Task Force. The One Vision Task Force, is an advisory committee of citizens, business leaders, parents, school administrators and teachers. The task force met six times from March to June in 2023 to evaluate and prioritize the district’s current and future needs. The process included studying the combined findings of the LISD facilities assessment, the transportation audit, the technology advisory council, district departments and the board of trustees. The task force reviewed a list of needs and priorities created by district staff and decided which of those needs would be included in the bond proposal. After months of study and weekly Q&A, the task force made a final recommendation to the LISD Board of Trustees on August 4, 2023. The board took action on the recommendation on August 16, 2023.

A school bond must be approved by a majority of voters who live within the school district’s boundaries.

The bond proposition authorizes the district to levy a tax to pay for the new bonds. Bond holders wouldn’t purchase the bonds without this pledge. The tax increase clause is required by law because issuing new debt extends payments over a longer period of time. So while the projects in the bond can be completed with no tax rate increase, taxpayers will be helping LISD pay off those bonds for a longer period of time.

Since 2020 the cost of utilities such as water has increased 74%, fuel has increased more than 150% and LISD insurance has increased 61%. During this same time period the basic allotment (the cost per student allowed by the state) has stagnated at $6,160 per student. For districts to provide the same level of support provided in 2019, the basic allotment would need to increase by over $1200/student. Because the state legislature has not increased the basic allotment, LISD is asking for a VATRE to help address inflation.

Prior to calling for the VATRE, the district was required to hire a third-party to complete an efficiency audit. The results of the audit included the following findings:

• LISD serves more Special Education and and B/ESL students than our peers
• LISD receives less revenue per student than our peers
• LISD expends more per student than our peers
• LISD provides a lower student/teacher ratio than our peers
  

School districts are not permitted to issue bonds to pay for the day-to-day costs of running a school district such as salaries or curriculum. Bond proceeds may only be used for capital projects.

The bond proposition includes many items that will enhance both teaching and instruction. Some examples are:

Much of the technology proposition is related to instruction and the funds will be used to replace aging classroom devices, upgrade wireless connectivity and enhance all manner of presentation tools for students and staff.

Additionally, teachers and students across the district will be impacted by bond funds that will be used to replace aging heating/cooling equipment, replace roofing, improve air quality and enhance safety and security.

A school bond is a promise to pay back a certain amount of money that is being borrowed for a specific use, and it will be paid back with interest. There are state and federal laws and regulations on how school districts issue bonds and how the bond proceeds can be used. With voter approval, school districts may issue bonds to pay for construction, acquisition and renovations of school buildings; acquisition of sites for school buildings; purchasing equipment for school buildings and buying buses. School bonds are used to help pay for costly school facilities projects.

LISD’s debt management policies have helped to pay down existing debt and made it so that all existing and expected debt will be repaid with no increase to the I&S (debt service) tax rate. The current I&S tax rate is $0.38 and is expected to remain at $0.38 even as bonds are issued to pay for projects proposed in the 2023 bond.

The Lewisville ISD Board of Trustees is committed to providing a safe and engaging learning environment and managing resources in a fiscally responsible way. LISD’s bond ratings are the highest ratings a public entity may receive by Fitch and Standard & Poor’s rating agencies. All items promised in the 2017 bond have been addressed and/or are in progress. To date, approximately $23M in additional and unplanned projects were approved by the board due to bond project savings and interest earned. For more details view reporting available on the district’s Finance Dashboard.

It has been more than six years since the school district held a bond election. The 2017 bond program included $737 million to fund initiatives recommended by the Lewisville ISD Facilities Assessment Committee. Lewisville ISD campuses received district-wide security updates, renovations and facility upgrades, as well as technology improvements.2017 Bond website.

In recent LISD history, bond elections were also held in 2008, 2005 and 2001. The history of these bond projects are available for review on the district’s bond Web site.

The safety of students, staff and visitors is of the utmost importance. Lewisville ISD has programs and protocols in place to observe the campus environment, monitor access to facilities, improve emergency response, prevent intruders and ensure emergency communications are fast and reliable.

Safety and Security Life Cycle Replacements

When safety and security equipment reaches the end of its usable life but the total facility is not scheduled for a complete renovation, safety and security equipment may be scheduled for replacement 

Components slated for replacement are selected based on needs identified from the Facilities Assessment Study, LISD established safety and security standards, state mandates/minimum standards, input from partners in law enforcement and first responders, and the Facilities Review Committee.

Fire Alarm

• B.B. Owen
• Briarhill
• DeLay
• Forestwood
• Griffin
• Lamar
• Lewisville HS
• LHS Harmon
• TCHS Transportation Center

Exterior Lighting

• Aquatics Center East
• Bluebonnet
• Castle Hills
• Central
• Creek Valley
• Downing
• Durham
• Coyote Ridge
• Killian
• Lakeland
• LHS Killough
• Lakeview
• Lillie Jackson
• McAuliffe
• Rockbrook
• Shadow Ridge

Doors and Hardware

• Forestwood
• Garden Ridge
• Heritage
• Lamar
• McAuliffe
• Morningside
• LISD Administrative Center

Technology Upgrades for Safety and Security

Technology helps to ensure that first responders have access to real-time data when they respond to campus emergencies. LISD continues to invest in technology that enhances the comprehensive approach to student safety.

Items in this proposal were selected based on needs identified from the Facilities Assessment Study, LISD established safety and security standards, state mandates/minimum standards, input from partners in law enforcement and first responders, the Technology Advisory Council and the Facilities Review Committee.

This bond proposal includes funding for the following categories of projects.

Critical Communications Systems

• Maintain and improve phones and paging systems used for notification and communication among classrooms
• Expand exterior Wifi to improve functionality of notification systems, cameras and other communications across the footprint of large campuses, including band practice lots.
• Expand data storage for security cameras to enable access to higher resolution images for a longer period of time.
• Cellular distributed antenna system to boost cellular signals throughout the campus.
• Upgrade district radio systems that are used daily and in emergencies to enhance real-time communication.
• Provide or enhance Emergency Responder Radio System that ensures first responders have a strong, reliable and clear signal inside all LISD facilities.

Cyber Security

Hardware and software to enhance cyber security infrastructure and protect  data systems.

Building and/or Infrastructure Upgrades for Safety and Security

Routine and ongoing safety and security audits and advances in available technology highlight the needs for additional upgrades or additions to existing safety and security equipment. The bond proposal includes funds for these additional repairs and upgrades:

• Add field event lighting at all high schools
• Add additional security vestibules at all high schools
• Purchase weapons detection scanners for use at middle and high schools
• Add generators and uninterrupted power supplies for district radio system
• Add Classroom Door Hardening/Locks where needed
• Enhance Secondary Door Hardening where needed
• Security camera/sensor expansion, maintenance and repairs
• Burglar Alarm System replacement, maintenance and repairs
• Install HVAC Override Buttons to be used in the event of a hazardous spill or other environmental emergency
• Add Additional Keyless Entry 
• LISD Administrative Center Security Upgrades 
• Traffic Signal at Hebron HS

Note: The car, bus and pedestrian traffic at FM544 (Plano Parkway) next to Hebron High School during arrival and dismissal is hazardous. LISD has asked for traffic studies at this intersection but the volume of traffic does not reach a level that would trigger the city to install a signal. For the safety of students, LISD will cover the cost of a traffic signal if this bond is approved.

There are many factors that guide the decision to purchase technology devices and infrastructure.  Factors include: meeting the instructional needs of staff & students including specialized programs; classroom educational specs; meeting state guidelines and expectations; tracking device life expectancy; tracking inventory and rates of repair; and stakeholder feedback.

Classroom Infrastructure

Teachers and students use technology to engage in learning every day. Classroom Infrastructure such as projectors, interactive displays, classroom audio systems and wireless screencasting hardware facilitate classroom and individual engagement.

This bond proposal includes funding for Audio/Visual equipment that has reached the end of its life cycle but is not already slated to be replaced in a 20-year maintenance, life cycle and repair project. This equipment includes:

• Projectors
• Interactive displays
• Classroom audio systems
• Wireless screencasting hardware

Network Infrastructure

The LISD network spans 127 square miles and supports users in 79 sites containing almost 10 million square feet of indoor space. In today’s learning environment the network must be fast, reliable, and secure. LISD relies on the network to facilitate learning, distribute communication and ensure safety.

This bond proposal includes funding for the maintenance and upgrade of the LISD network including:

• LISDAC and Memorial Elementary Data center hardware & software
• Wide area network switching to connect facilities, data centers, cloud applications, and cloud storage 
• Wireless network connectivity
• Fiber Optic Ring connectivity
• Private LTE coverage for home and exterior program support
• Video streaming hardware
• Uninterrupted Power Supply upgrades for LISD Administrative Center and Lewisville HS

New Transportation Center

Purnell Transportation Center is a 32,000 sq ft metal building that was built in 1979. It is in need of substantial repairs including: offices, breakroom, restrooms, HVAC, flooring, parking lot surfaces and fuel system. Any effort to renovate/repair the existing facility comes with the risk of costly, unexpected code compliance issues.

The New Transportation Center proposal includes demolition of the Purnell Transportation Center and construction of a new facility, a new concrete parking lot and a new fuel system. A concrete parking lot will reduce wear and tear on the LISD-owned fleet. A new fuel system has the potential to consider alternative fuel for some of the fleet.

Purchase Buses to Replace 1/3 of the Fleet

For 32 Years LISD contracted with Student Transportation companies to provide a fleet of buses and bus service to LISD students. The contracted services were paid out of the operations budget. In 2020 LISD purchased a fleet of 285 diesel buses with funds from land sales. Estimated savings to the operating budget is $4M annually compared to contractor costs. In the spring of 2023, a transportation audit was completed and included a recommendation to replace the first 1/3 of the fleet beginning in 2026. This will bring the average age of the bus fleet to industry standards while balancing vehicle value and maintenance costs.

The Fine Arts projects included in the proposal will complete renovations and additions for the theater program at LHS – Harmon and the theater and band programs at Lewisville High School. More than 1/3 of the bond dollars for fine arts would provide funds to replace aging instruments across the district. The 2017 Bond program included $38M for improvements and additions to fine arts spaces and equipment.

20-Year Life Cycle, Maintenance and Repairs

As part of the 20-Year Life Cycle, Maintenance and Repair projects at the Elementary and Middle Schools, the art rooms and music rooms will receive updates to building components that are at the end of their useful life.  These include finishes like flooring and paint, as well as stage curtain and furniture replacements.  

High School Band Lot Renovations

This project will provide a new surface and lights for the Lewisville HS band lot.

Note that Flower Mound HS, Hebron HS, Marcus HS and The Colony HS have this included in the 20-Year Life Cycle Maintenance and Repair projects.

Musical Instrument Life Cycle Replacements

Replace about half of the musical instruments that are at/beyond life cycle. New instruments will be distributed across the district and across all grade levels. Of the 6000+ inventoried musical instruments in use in LISD:

• 2200 Band instruments are at/beyond life cycle (20+ years)
• 275 Orchestra instruments are at/beyond life cycle (20+ years)
• 57 Pianos are at/beyond life cycle (many ages unknown)
• 17 elementary programs are in need of foundational equipment such as Orff keyboards, Tubanos, etc. (many ages unknown)

Purchase 10 Box Trucks

Fine Arts programs at Flower Mound HS, Hebron HS, Lewisville HS, Marcus HS and The Colony HS use box trucks to transport instruments and theater equipment throughout the year. A shortage of trucks available to rent creates uncertainty and inconvenience for students, teachers and parent volunteers.

Black Box Theatre Conversion at Lewisville HS – Harmon

A Black Box Theater is a simple, open space painted black. The design provides more space for performances, classes, rehearsals, and meetings. It’s designed for maximum flexibility because sets, lighting, seating, risers, and the stage are portable and reconfigurable. Flower Mound HS, Hebron HS, Marcus HS and The Colony HS already have Black Box Theatres.

Scene Shop Addition at Lewisville HS

There are no auditorium adjacent classrooms for the LHS Theatre Program. The program currently uses two classrooms in the Math wing on the 3rd floor. The addition of a scene shop will allow for the current, undersized shop to be converted into a second classroom, bringing the program up to educational specifications and with comparable facility adjacencies.