BISD has determined the following challenges exist for BISD; safety, security, and facility related. In order to address these challenges, the district has decided to obtain community feedback on possible strategies. The CAC meeting information can be found here.

The purpose of this Advisory Committee is to (1) Provide opportunity for clear COMMUNICATION between Brackett ISD and its Stakeholders on major District topics, (2) Provide FEEDBACK to Superintendent & Senior Staff to assist with strategic direction for BISD and (3) Stimulate CHAMPIONS and ADVOCATES of BISD.

BISD and the CAC agree the district needs to address safety, security and facilities. The district has safety concerns and challenges and many of the buildings on campus are in need of repair, renovation, or replacement. The BISD Maintenance and Operations (M&O) Budget cannot support the costs associated with the needed repairs across the district. Legally, a school district can ask district voters if they would support a bond by election. This bond would impact the Interest and Sinking (I&S) Budget of the district.

BISD contracted a professional construction management company, AG|CM, to perform a “Comprehensive Facilities Assessment” to determine the condition of BISD facilities. The purpose of this assessment, (BISD contracted a professional construction management company, AG|CM, to perform a “Comprehensive Facilities Assessment” to determine the condition of BISD facilities. The purpose of this assessment, (which can be found here) conducted in November of 2022, was to identify and evaluate/rate current conditions of the site and all major systems within the building as well as make recommendations for needed and/or requested repairs with associated cost.) conducted in November of 2022, was to identify and evaluate/rate current conditions of the site and all major systems within the building as well as make recommendations for repairs with associated cost.

The Facility Assessment revealed many areas of concern throughout the buildings on campus and for the highest two priorities, those items listed as a “1” Failing, or a “2” Poor, had a cost estimate of $24,868,000 to repair.

Please see the March 28, 2023 CAC presentation and Slide 8 will show building information to the best of our knowledge

At the April 26th, 2023, CAC meeting, a survey was conducted which provided the following information; 96% of respondents see a need to address BISD facilities. 63% responded they would support some sort of bond recommendation to the BISD School Board for consideration.

At the conclusion of the May 23, 2023 CAC Meeting, it was determined to move forward with a concept including a new PK-6 building, safety and security upgrades, renovations to existing facilities and addressing other facility repairs as needed, and keeping all students on our current site. The recommended concept was taken to the BISD School Board on June 12, 2023.

At this time (July 10, 2023), the concept has been modified to a new PK-4 building, while maintaining the same safety and security upgrades, along with renovations and additions to existing buildings. Programming and cost estimating are still underway, and we will update this information as we continue through the process. After the July 13, 2023 meeting a full size competitive gym was added to the PreK-4 model.

At the April 26th , 2023, CAC meeting, the survey indicated 64% of CAC members supported some form of new construction, 18% responded with repairs, and 13% indicated renovations.

As of July 10, 2023, the following are being considered in the planning process; new perimeter fencing around the campus, new PK-4 campus, to include new playgrounds, renovations to cafeteria and kitchen, a new high school culinary addition, renovations to high school spaces to include new classrooms, renovations to high school theatre arts, renovations to boys and girls locker rooms, renovations to weight room, new visitor bleacher addition to gym, new secure vestibule (entry), relocation of administrative offices and nurse, new band hall flooring, new parent drop-off and pick-up locations, along with other building upgrades, including technology and HVAC systems. As of July 13, the renovations to the Tiger the gym will be limited so that a new competition gym can be included.

Bond 2023 Project Cost Estimates, as of August 11, 2023, can be found here.
It is important to note these are estimates at a point in time based on current product availability, supply chains, labor, and material costs. The estimated costs can change due to economic conditions within the construction market. The estimated costs can change due to economic conditions within the construction market. The actual cost for the projects cannot be determined until the district completes the legal bidding process.

Phasing of the work mentioned above has not been determined as programming and cost estimating are still underway.

A concept exhibit can be found here. This was shared with the BISD CAC on July 13, 2023. It is important to remember, this is a “concept” and can/will change as we continue through the programming and cost estimating process.

08/17/2023 An updated conceptual design was presented as part of the Call for Bond election and can be found here.

The current conceptual design includes the demolition of the following buildings:

D3 - Jones Elementary
D2 - Jones Intermediate
Cub Gym

Conceptual design is the preliminary framework, or idea, of a design that occurs in the early stages of a project and conveys the vision of what the final product may look like. Conceptual design usually transforms/changes as the project moves forward with architects and engineers working on the formal design. Conceptual plans are usually used only to provide a high-level scope of work allowing for cost estimating and programming to take place. This early conceptual design phase occurs before the formal design process takes place. Architects and engineers are brought in to begin the formal design process. Currently, BISD has not contracted with an architect or engineering firm to assist with design. BISD believes it is prudent to have the bond election prior to contracting with, and spending district funds, for an architectural and engineering firm.

In order to call for a November 7, 2023 Bond, the BISD Board of Trustees must officially call for a bond by August 21, 2023 per Texas Law.

08-21-2023 UPDATE On August 17, 2023, The BISD Board of Trustees approved the motion to officially call for a school bond election to be held on November 7, 2023. The official document can be found here under Item 5.C.

Texas independent school districts issue bonds, with approval, to pay for capital expenditures. Districts repay the bonds through revenue generated from property taxes collected by the district. School district bonds are similar to a home mortgage in that the borrower repays the lender — in this case, investors — over time and in accordance to the terms of the bond sale.

Bond funds can be used to pay for new buildings, additions and renovations to existing facilities, land acquisition, technology infrastructure and equipment for new or existing buildings. Bonds cannot be used for salaries or operating costs such as utility bills, supplies, building maintenance, fuel and insurance.

Under Texas law, proceeds of bond sales may only be used to pay for items with a useful life of more than one year. Bond funds can be used to pay for new buildings, additions and renovations to existing buildings, land acquisition, technology, buses, musical instruments, uniforms and equipment, among other items. These items include, but are not limited to, facility construction or renovation, computers, library books, curriculum, calculators, musical instruments, and uniforms, among others. Bond proceeds may not be used for recurring expenses such as the district’s payroll or utilities.

No, bond funds cannot be used for salaries or general operating costs incurred by the district.

BISD last had a bond election March 23, 1991, for $1,000,000 which passed by a vote of 125 “for” and 56 “against.” Proceeds from the 1991 Bond went towards an eight classroom addition, cafeteria and kitchen, refurbishing Jones Elementary and Old Gym, new Ag building, computer assisted learning labs for Elementary – High School and relocation of portables.

As per BISD Financial Advisor, Specialized Public Finance Inc., BISD could raise approximately $61,000,000 with a 50 cent increase to the I&S Tax Rate. More bond information can be found on the April 25, 2023 CAC presentation linked here (slides 23 – 25).

After several Community Advisory Meetings, an I&S tax rate impact of $0.41 is being considered for a bond capacity of $49 million.

08-21-2023 UPDATE On August 17, 2023, the BISD Board of Trustees approved the motion to officially call for a school bond election for $49,000,000. The 2023 Bond Election will be held on November 7, 2023.

There is no impact on homeowners over the age of 65. School district taxes on resident homesteads may be frozen in the year the taxpayer turns 65 years of age and will NOT increase because of a school district bond election.

The taxable value reports from the current year show 960 homesteads in the District.  Based on the increase of $60k additional homestead exemption, the taxable value reduction is about $57,600,000.

  08-21-2023 UPDATE After July 25th , 2023, BISD received certified property values indicating BISD could generate $49,000,000 with a lower I&S tax rate. To generate $49,000,000, BISD would need a lower tax rate equating to $0.334 and not $0.41.

The table below shows BISD tax rates for the past six years.

Year	M&O	I&S
2017	$1.04	$0.00
2018	$1.04	$0.00
2019	$0.97	$0.00
2020	$0.87	$0.00
2021	$0.87	$0.00
2022	$0.8546	$0.00

The table below shows BISD property values for the past six years.

Year	$ Value
2017	$303,668,462
2018	$314,817,692
2019	$444,282,577
2020	$640,750,213
2021	$715,149,339
2022	$781,727,220

Access the presentation from the first forum here. It summarizes key discussions and feedback. Don't forget, the second community forum is set for October 19th. Join us to stay updated and involved.

AG|CM was contracted to perform a Facility Condition Assessment in November 2022. The contract for the Facility Condition Assessment was $59,760. AG|CM, which included multiple consultants, was then contracted to assist BISD with Bond Planning. This contract is not to exceed $165,054, and as of 09-18-2023, $58,274 has been paid to AG|CM.

Attached, please find the most comprehensive data on Texas ISD tax rates available from the TEA website. Here is a link to the website to download the report.

Based on the data from TEA, of the 1,026 school districts, 869 or 85% also had an I&S tax rate for the 2022-2023 year. 157 or 15% of school districts did not have an I&S tax rate along with their M&O tax rate.

No, however there is a line item which states athletic improvements. These funds may be used for improvements at athletic fields ie: lights at the track, safety & security features at fields, upgrades to entrance ways, concessions stands or restrooms to address aging facility issues. Please see the project cost estimate summary page for projects included in the $49 million.

Due to the construction programming and estimating, financial and legal specialization and regulations of the bond planning process, AG|CM, Specialized Public Finance, and Escamilla and Poneck are the companies used to assist with BISD bond planning. AG|CM is a full service, professional construction management and estimating firm. Specialized Public Finance, Inc. (SPFI), which is BISD’s financial advisor, is assisting BISD with financial planning regarding the 2023 Bond. SPFI has not received any district compensation at this time and will only receive compensation should the bond election pass and after the bonds are sold. Escamilla & Poneck, LLP is a full-service law firm providing bond counsel legal guidance for BISD through the bond planning and election process. Escamilla & Poneck, has not received any compensation at this time and will only receive compensation should the bond election pass and after the bonds are sold. For more detailed information regarding these companies and their respective contracts, please see the March 23, 2023 BISD Board of Trustee Meeting Agenda Items on the BISD website.

State law specifically permits the following purpose to be included in a bond proposition: “the purchase of the necessary sites for school buildings”.  This language is often used in a bond proposition to enable districts to purchase land if an unforeseen event occurs.  For instance, there have been cases in the past for some school districts where district owned property cannot be used to build a facility because of unforeseen soil issues, prior historical use, flooding zones, ecological issues, etc., and new property has to be obtained.  Brackett ISD intends to use only District property to construct its proposed facilities and has no plans to purchase additional property.

The Texas Attorney General has advised districts to include a finding by the District Board of Trustees, in the Bond legal documents, that the District’s football stadium is a facility with a seating capacity of less than 1,000 spectators to include any repairs of this facility in the general bond proposition.  Potential athletic facility improvements include repairing lights at the track, safety & security features at fields, upgrades to entrance ways, concessions stands, restrooms, along with addressing aging athletic facility issues.

Yes. Local businesses (contractors, subcontractors, etc.) that would be interested in bidding on the projects are encouraged to do so as long as they meet all the legal requirements necessary in working on public school projects (Texas Govt. Code Chapter 2253).