FAQs

The May 2026 bond package addresses upkeep of aging facilities and systems, updating and enhancing school safety and security, standardization and facility equity, and efficiencies in operations. If approved by voters, the total proposed amount of $475.5 million (actual $475,487,500) will fund construction projects including replacement of aging campuses and facility additions/renovations, safety and security improvements, technology upgrades, priority infrastructure projects, and operational improvements. The bond package is presented to voters in two propositions. Voters will have the opportunity to cast a vote for or against each individual proposition.

The 2026 bond package is a community-driven plan based on recommendations of the Birdville ISD Long Range Facility Planning Committee, which is comprised of active parents, non-parents, civic and business leaders, and staff liaisons representing all high school attendance zones. They began working in October 2025 to study the condition of the district’s existing facilities, projected enrollment growth, classroom capacities, and operational systems. Committee members used this information to establish priorities, develop options, and ultimately provide priorities to the district and a charge to prepare a bond package for the Board’s and community’s consideration.

The committee’s final recommendation was presented to the Birdville ISD Board of Trustees on January 22, 2026. The Board later called for a May 2026 school bond election on February 9, 2026 that includes two propositions. Information about the Long Range Facility Planning Committee is available on the district’s informational bond website.

For the Bond 2026 Proposal, the community committee and district leaders prioritized the available funding capacity with projects focused on school safety, student program expansions, aging facilities, equitable learning environments, and efficient operations. The district plans to explore options for indoor multi-purpose facilities in the future.  

Birdville ISD is able to issue and repay bonds for all projects in the 2026 bond within the current school tax rate. The district is able to maintain the same school tax rate due to the conservative structure of previous bonds issued and because the Board of Trustees has proactively worked to pay down existing debt, increasing the district's financial ability to issue bonds.

It is important to note that on the ballot, voters will see, “THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE” listed under each proposition. This ballot language is required by the State of Texas and is not controlled by Birdville ISD. The 2026 Bond Proposal will NOT increase the school tax rate on your property taxes.

School districts are required to have elections to get permission from voters to sell bonds to fund capital improvement projects such as school/facility renovations, additions/improvements, and critical infrastructure updates. The schools and facilities included in the 2026 Bond Proposal are some of the oldest remaining in the district, and operational systems and equipment are reaching or exceeding end-of-life in their usefulness. The 2026 Bond Proposal focuses on safety and security, updating instructional facilities to provide equity in learning environments for students across campuses, and increasing operational efficiencies districtwide.

The 2026 bond proposal will impact every student, current and future, and every campus in Birdville ISD. While some campuses are slated for more significant renovations or improvements due to age and/or functional challenges, all schools will be addressed through safety and security upgrades, priority maintenance infrastructure and operations projects, and instructional technology and network enhancements.

School districts in Texas operate under a budget consisting of two tax-supported portions: One is the maintenance and operations fund and the other is the debt service fund (Interest &Sinking). Tax rates to support both funds are limited by State Law. The maintenance and operations fund supports not only daily maintenance of buildings but also teacher salaries, benefits, and student programs. The debt service fund supports bonds issued to fund larger capital improvements and equipment expenditures where it is not feasible to pay for an improvement within a given fiscal budget year. The debt is spread out over an extended period, much like a homeowner’s mortgage. School districts cannot use bond funds to pay for daily operating expenses. Using operating funds for bond-eligible capital projects would limit funding available for daily expenses including teacher/staff salaries and student programs. Funding for the proposed projects in the 2026 Bond is not available without an election approved by voters.

Bond funds can be used to pay for projects including new buildings, additions and renovations to existing facilities, purchase of land, technology devices and/or infrastructure, safety and security equipment, operational systems upgrades, and equipment/furniture for new or existing buildings. Bonds cannot be used for teacher salaries or other regular operating costs such as utility bills, supplies, daily building maintenance, fuel, and insurance.

Birdville ISD does not issue bonds for longer than 30 years, although facilities are in use for more than 50 years. This debt is spread out over an extended period, much like a homeowner’s mortgage. For projects with a shorter life expectancy (i.e., technology, equipment, etc.), bond payments are matched with the life of the asset. This ensures taxpayers do not end up paying for items that the school district is no longer able to use.

No, short-term assets are financed with short-term bonds, which match the life of the asset. This ensures taxpayers do not end up paying for items that the school district is no longer able to use.

The 2022 Bond is the most recent bond program approved by voters. More than 90% of the projects in the 2022 Bond have been completed with the remaining items slated for completion this summer. 

Early Voting begins on Monday, April 20, and ends on Tuesday, April 28. Election Day is Saturday, May 2.  

Residents who live within the Birdville ISD boundaries, are 18 years of age on or before election day, are a U.S. citizen, and are registered to vote by the April 2 deadline can participate in the May 2 bond election. To see if you are registered, or to register by the deadline, visit the voter registration site.

Please visit https://www.tarrantcountytx.gov/en/elections.html for more information on voting locations and details.

The last several bond elections in Birdville ISD have focused on facilities built primarily in the 1950s and 1960s and the 2026 Bond proposal would address the next group of aging facilities, including Hardeman Elementary built 55 years old (1971). While infrastructure updates such as roofs and HVAC systems can be replaced, updating the overall instructional environment on buildings that are 50+ years old generally costs more than replacing the facility with instructional spaces designed to ensure all Birdville ISD students have access to the same high-level educational environment. Additionally, older facilities cost more to operate and cannot be adequately retrofitted to create major energy efficiencies. In designing new facilities, the District prioritizes learning spaces and ensuring the most operational efficiencies possible.

Larger campuses can still provide the smaller class sizes recommended for individualized instruction while providing operational savings by minimizing the personnel needed to operate the facility. BISD has accomplished this successfully in past bond programs with the partnering of Richland and Major Cheney elementary schools into Cheney Hills Elementary, and W.T. Francisco and David E. Smith elementary schools into Smith Elementary. Partnering smaller schools has been a key discussion during the bond planning process. For example, combining Watauga and North Oaks middle schools will allow the district to combine resources to support student instruction and is projected to save around $3 million each year in operational costs. With educational funding challenges at both the state and federal levels, the district continues to explore opportunities to reduce operational costs and focus funds on classroom instruction.

The district currently has two former elementary campuses that became partner campuses now known as Cheney Hills and Smith elementary schools. For the old schools, the district is carefully evaluating those facilities to determine their most effective use moving forward. These decisions are guided by what will best serve students, staff, and the long-term needs of the community.

If voters approve the bond referendum, the new Hardeman Elementary campus would be built on the site of Birdville ISD Park on Chapman Road. Because the district already owns this property, site preparation and construction could begin immediately, making the Hardeman project one of the first to be addressed in a new bond program. Additionally, the park is already in the Hardeman attendance zone so no zoning adjustments would be needed. Finally, the district is committed to a strong partnership with the City of Watauga to ensure the new school enhances the neighborhood community and continues offering residents access to park amenities.

The partner school between North Oaks and Watauga middle schools would be built on the current site of Watauga Middle, with expansion into the adjacent Hardeman Elementary site. This location was selected because with those school sites combined, it is a larger site that can accommodate a larger campus and the extracurricular facilities used in middle school programs.

If voters approve the bond proposal, Smithfield Middle would be rebuilt on its existing site but the footprint would be adjusted slightly. This will allow students to remain in the existing building while construction occurs on the other end of the property. Any work that impacts student areas will be prioritized for breaks and summer months to minimize disruptions to students' instructional day. More details about the construction planning will be provided to Smithfield MS families prior to construction beginning.

If Bond 2026 is approved, North Oaks Middle School would combine with Watauga Middle School, and a new partner middle school would be built on the existing site of Watauga Middle, with expansion into the adjacent Hardeman Elementary site. 

Subsequently, North Oaks Middle School would be demolished, and the land would be used to build a new Auxiliary Support Center. This new auxiliary support center would serve both Transportation and Facilities and Maintenance services, which houses more than 400 employees daily.