Post from Robert Sitton that I thought was helpful;I am very pleased with the dialogue and excitement surrounding the Humble ISD bond program. However, with that excitement, there always tend to be some confusion and sometimes misinformation. I wanted to try and answer a few questions that I have been asked.
1. Will there be a tax increase? NO! The school district tax rate will remain the same. HCAD appraised values vary from year to year, this is out of the school district's control. But, I say again, there will be no tax rate change from Humble ISD.
2. If there is no tax increase, how can we afford this? This is more complicated but the bottom line is, the total debt obligation is regulated. It is based on a formula including taxable assessed value, revenue received, existing debt, tax rate and total debt service. When the proposal (verified by outside bond counsel) was submitted to the board, it was determined that $600 million in capacity over a six year period was available. The board chose not to initiate a referendum for the entire amount, thus the $575 million number.
3. I have heard there are two "buckets" of money that make up my taxes, what are they? Maintenance & Operations (M&O) and Interest & Sinking (I&S)(Debt Service). M&O is used for the district's operating budget, salaries, etc. It is at the cap and CANNOT be increased. I&S is used for capital expenditures, new schools, renovations, etc. I&S cannot be used for the general operating budget.
4. What is the historical data on Tax Rates? You can go to Humbleisd.net, Financial transparency, Tax information, tax rate, to get year by year since 1994. Some of the data you will find is: 1997 & 1998 total tax rate was $1.81, 2001 - 2004 $1.74, 2008 - present $1.52. In 2006 the rate was $1.64 and in 2007, the rate was $1.31. So Humble ISDs tax rate has remained constant for the last ten years with the lowest tax rate in twenty-five years, with the exception of 2007.
5. What about student growth? The district contracts with PASA Demographics, not affiliated with any architecture firm or contractor, to help project growth trends. Their most recent report can be found at Humbleisd.net, about Humble ISD, PASA demographic study. Since the 2009 school year, Humble ISD has grown from 34,923 students to roughly 42,000 students this year, approximately 20%. Humble ISD is projected to grow by another 10,000 students by the year 2025. It's important to note, PASA does not look at programs, student transfers, or other special circumstances on the campus level. They strictly look at the various areas of the district and project growth numbers.
6. Is Humble ISD only reappraising homes that were damaged? The Humble ISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously to pay the Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD) to conduct reappraisals for our community. HCAD has their own processes and procedures when doing so. To be clear, Humble ISD did not place any stipulation on who or who not to reappraise. You can see the approved order on Humble ISDs website on the main page under "School Board Authorizes 2017 reappraisals".
7. It sure looks like athletics is getting a lot of money in this bond referendum, why? Things like turf and gyms are attention grabers. In reality, athletics and extra curricular projects add up to roughly 8.9% of the total bond referendum. You can go to Humbleisd.net, information, bond, bond project matrix to see the breakdown.
8. Some of the project costs seemed to be inflated can you explain? When the facility study was done, the board asked for a rooftops to flowerbeds study. Look at structural changes and educational needs to determine if renovations, rebuilds, add-ons, etc. were needed. Then the board asked for costs associated with any and all recommendations in todays dollars and also with construction inflation estimated over time. As with any large capital project, prior to construction, it will go out to bid. The district adminsitration will seek to get the best possible value for the tax payer. A perfect example, in the 2008 bond referendum, a new Police Station was approved with an estimated cost of $7 million. Due to changes in the economic environment, the bids came in between $3.5 million and $4 million. Various scenarious like this, allowed the district to refund existing debt, buy property for new facilities and build three new schools. I hope this helps answer some of the questions I have been asked.

@Smokeybear : Well, typical terms on municipal debt are interest semi annually or annually with principal payments annually. They aren't monthly mortgage payments. Except for Capital Appreciation Bonds.....they have no annual payments for the length of the bond. And boy are those expensive as the interest just accumulates on a compounded basis. Some of the faster growing districts have resorted to this as they are at the max for I&S rates , but still needing to build schools and facilities.About the only thing to be determined at bond sale is the interest rate in this case. We have a good rating,, so it should be good......if interest rates don't climb.

This bond is still a terrible idea. No plans for dealing with the overcrowding in the schools in the south part of the district. I really hope people say no. The district has to address the overcrowding.I know many people who are as concerned as I am about the overcrowding not being addressed and are voting no.Also, the early voting hours are ridiculous. No working person who has to commute can make those hours. I'm disappointed in the offered times.

It's 7am-7pm next week. I work. I voted YES today.

@rlg07 : Me too... are the polls open today? I need to vote NO on this.

As bad as they do, they think. Money is going to fix this?I voted NO

The variable interest rate scares me. Along with the fact there is no high school solution. So I suppose it will be a no.

The finance folks talked about how they have in the past and will continue to sell bonds only when interest rates are favorable. They demonstrated how the last bond was spaced out and used only when conditions were good. It all comes down to trust. Do we trust our school board and district officials or not?

Also AHS expansion plus SC 1000 seats - then if enrollment levels dictate - a high school bond in 5 years or so.There are so many needs across the district that are more pressing and shouldn't be denied because some are only concerned about one high school....that will be addressed now and in the future as needed.

Oops double post

@HumbleGirl : I agree. I feel bad for voting no when there are schools that really do need to be rebuilt, but we need to deal with overcrowding before building gyms. If the plan was to expand other high schools and rezone to level out the numbers, I would be all for it.

@BusyMommy : Well....those of us who don't attend AHS should vote no when that bond comes up in a few years since it doesn't affect us or because maybe we think something at our school is more important? That would be wrong too.

@HumbleGirl : I am not "wrong" for having an opinion that differs from yours.I believe overcrowding at every school should be the top priority.

And don't worry, the precious bond will pass no matter how I vote.

@BusyMommy: I agree. We're not wrong because we have different opinion.The money needs to be distributed fairly among all the schools. This bond doesn't do that. Adding a wing to AHS doesn't address the overcrowding at AHS or in the majority of the schools on the south side. No Kingwood schools are overcrowded. Part of the reason that those are rated so highly is that the schools aren't overcrowded.I agree with BusyMommy that overcrowding and quality of education needs to be addressed before adding extra practice gyms and multipurpose rooms. The money budgeted for these things could be used toward a new HS and new schools to address the overcrowding. Maybe the district should make better choices when considering building new schools and not build mega schools.