Conroe ISD $2B Bond Election for Student Growth

**Conroe ISD Voters to Decide on $2 Billion Bond Package Amid Rapid Growth**

Conroe, TX – Conroe Independent School District voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, to consider two significant bond propositions totaling just over $2 billion. The proposed bonds aim to address the district’s explosive student enrollment growth and critical facility needs across its expansive service area north of Houston.

The Conroe ISD Board of Trustees unanimously called the bond election on August 20, 2024, following a comprehensive six-month review process by a Bond Advisory Committee comprising over 100 community members. The district, which serves a wide geographic area including Conroe, Oak Ridge North, Shenandoah, and portions of Spring and The Woodlands, currently educates 60,000 students. District projections anticipate this number soaring to 76,000 students by 2033, necessitating substantial investments in infrastructure.

**Proposition A: Addressing Foundational Growth**

Proposition A, the larger of the two at $1.98 billion, is designed to fund essential infrastructure to accommodate this projected student influx. Key components of Proposition A include:

* **New School Construction:** The bond would fund the construction of 11 new campuses: five elementary schools, three intermediate schools, two junior high schools, and one new high school. These facilities are crucial to alleviate current overcrowding and prepare for future students.
* **Program Expansion:** Funds are earmarked for expanding career and technical education (CTE) programs, fine arts facilities, and athletic amenities across the district, ensuring students have access to modern and comprehensive educational opportunities.
* **Safety and Security:** Crucial safety and security upgrades district-wide are a significant focus, enhancing protective measures for all students and staff.
* **Infrastructure & Logistics:** The proposition also covers technology infrastructure enhancements, the acquisition of new buses to expand transportation capacity, and land acquisition for future school sites, proactively planning for continued growth.
* **School Replacements:** Several aging elementary schools – Hauke, Rice, Sam Houston, Stewart, and Wilkinson – are slated for replacement, providing students with updated, energy-efficient, and improved learning environments.

**Proposition B: Enhancing Athletic Facilities**

Proposition B, a $22.9 million bond, specifically targets district stadium facilities. Its primary goal is to fund a new stadium within the Oak Ridge feeder zone. This new venue is intended to alleviate significant capacity issues at existing athletic venues, which are currently struggling to accommodate the district’s growing student population and extensive extracurricular programs, reducing scheduling conflicts and providing equitable access for all student-athletes.

**No Anticipated Tax Rate Increase, District Officials State**

District officials emphasize that Conroe ISD does not anticipate needing to raise the current tax rate of $0.9388 per $100 valuation to service these bonds. They project that increased property values driven by the area’s robust growth and a continuously expanding tax base will generate sufficient revenue to cover the bond payments without impacting the current rate.

Texas homeowners benefit from a state-mandated $100,000 homestead exemption, which reduces the taxable value of their primary residence. Furthermore, residents aged 65 and older or those with disabilities have their school district tax ceiling frozen, protecting them from future school tax increases on their homesteads, regardless of changes in property value or the tax rate. While the district projects no tax *rate* increase, property owners’ total tax bills can still increase due to rising property appraisals.

**Community Engagement and Voter Information**

The Bond Advisory Committee’s extensive review involved numerous public meetings, facility tours, and deep dives into demographic projections and financial planning, ensuring community input was central to the propositions presented to voters.

Early voting will be available prior to the November 5th election day for all registered voters within the Conroe ISD boundaries. Specific early voting dates, times, and locations will be posted on the Conroe ISD website and the Montgomery County Elections Office website closer to the election date.

Voters are encouraged to visit the Conroe ISD website at [ConroeISD.net/bond2024](http://www.conroeisd.net/bond2024) for detailed information on both bond propositions, including project lists, financial impact analyses, and frequently asked questions. Information on voter registration and polling locations can be found at the Montgomery County Elections Office website.