Klein ISD Board Calls for May 7 Bond Election in Unanimous Vote
Bond Proposal Developed by Community Member Steering Committee After Months of Extensive Study & Analysis
By a unanimous vote, the Klein ISD Board of Trustees passed a measure to place a bond referendum comprising four propositions on the upcoming May ballot. Early voting runs from April 25, 2022, through May 3, 2022, with Election Day being held Saturday, May 7, 2022.
As part of the district’s conservative management of finances and facilities, the Klein ISD commissioned a community-led Bond Steering Committee in 2021 to develop a long-term capital program through a series of collaborative meetings.
The goal of the Bond Steering Committee was to ensure students in Klein ISD continue to have access to modern classrooms and innovative programs.
The community-led committee of nearly 100 parents, grandparents, teachers, staff, business, and community leaders from across Klein ISD reviewed financial data, current instructional tools, projected student growth, current capacity challenges, and toured renovations at Lemm Elementary. After months of extensive study, the committee developed comprehensive bond recommendations to reflect the wishes of the Klein ISD community and its taxpayers and presented their report to the Board of Trustees for its consideration.
“This bond program is the result of our Klein ISD community coming together to assess the District’s facilities, technology, safety and security, fine arts, and athletics,” Klein ISD Board President Ronnie Anderson said. “Our Bond Steering Committee of parents, grandparents, teachers, staff and business and community leaders from across the school district should be commended for their thoughtful and comprehensive work in bringing recommendations forward to benefit our Klein ISD students, staff, families, and community. As we look to the future in this District that I’ve been a part of since I was a student in Klein ISD, it is our hope that these efforts meet the expectations of the Klein ISD community of teachers, parents, grandparents, and taxpayers.”
Klein ISD is complying with changes made in 2019 to section 45.003 of the Texas Education Code which requires school districts to divide bond elections into separate ballot propositions based on what is being financed.
Proposition A would provide $843.8 million to improve safety and security at all schools, build a new intermediate school, address growth and capacity challenges, modernize and restore aging schools (50+ years old), renovate all schools, upgrade academic, arts and athletic spaces, and purchase additional buses as our student population grows. Funds would also be used for additional safety and security measures at every school.
Proposition B would allocate $51.5 million for technology devices for classroom instruction, including student, teacher, and staff devices.
Proposition C would designate $131.3 million for a new district events center with seating for more than 8,000 that would be used for indoor graduations, academic events, fine arts performances, athletic competitions, robotics tournaments, and career and technology exhibitions. The events center would also provide a place to host large indoor events, concerts, and festivals and is intended to generate revenue and be available for community use.
Proposition D would provide updated training and competition spaces for student-athletes and students showcasing their talents in the arts that are comparable to those in neighboring districts. It would provide $75.2 million for a new district stadium along with renovations to the 55-year-old Klein Memorial Stadium complex.
A detailed breakdown of the 2022 Bond propositions is available on the District’s dedicated Bond website, https://www.kleinisdbond.com.
Passage of all four bond propositions could result in a tax rate increase of approximately $0.03 cents over the district’s current tax rate. This will keep the Klein ISD tax rate lower than it was at the beginning of 2021 and $0.10 cents lower than in 2014. For the average home in Klein ISD (approximately $255K according to the Harris County Appraisal District), the impact could be approximately $5.75 per month.
Homeowners 65 and older who have applied for the exemption will see NO INCREASE in their Klein ISD property taxes due to the senior citizen homestead exemption.
Klein ISD has a history of conservative management of tax dollars resulting in decades of achievement for financial transparency and in financial reporting excellence. Klein ISD has saved taxpayers over $70 million through five separate bond refinancing opportunities. Last year, the Klein ISD Board of Trustees adopted the lowest tax rate in 11 years.
Since 2004, Klein ISD has grown by nearly 17,000 students, resulting in the construction of 20 additional schools and complete renovations of Lemm Elementary and Klein High School. Klein ISD’s most recent bond in 2015 was completed on time and under budget as a result of efficient fiscal management.
To learn more about the Klein ISD 2022 Bond, visit Klein ISD’s dedicated Bond website, https://www.kleinisdbond.com.
Best Public Schools in Texas
Klein ISD has an established 84-year history of excellence and innovation in education with unique pathways for EVERY student in our care to ensure learners are college, career, military, and life ready. With recognition for STEM, athletics, fine arts, and academics from highly-esteemed organizations, it is clear that Our Shared Vision of every student entering with a promise and exiting with a purpose is a reality for EVERY student who walks through our doors.
About Klein ISD
Klein ISD is a school district in Klein, Texas, located in northwestern Harris County. The district spans approximately 88 square miles and serves more than 53,000 students in 33 elementary schools, 10 intermediate campuses, one high school program of choice, and 5 high schools.
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