Learning Curve: HISD’s $4.4 billion bond will make history — even if voted down
Regardless of whether it passes or fails, Houston ISD voters will make history when they decide on a $4.4 billion bond package .
If the proposal passes, it will be the largest school bond in Texas history, dwarfing Dallas ISD's $3.3 billion package.
And if it fails, Houston voters will be the first in Texas to completely reject a billion-dollar bond.
A Houston Landing analysis of bond election data shows voters have historically supported large school bonds in Texas — though there's never been an election anything like the one scheduled for Nov. 5 in HISD.
Supporters of the HISD bond argue the $4.4 billion package, much of which would go toward renovating and repairing schools, argue the district's facilities are long overdue for upgrades after 12 years without a bond. Opponents, however, say the district's state-appointed leadership — appointed to replace HISD's elected board in 2023 — can't be trusted with billions in taxpayer dollars.
A clean sweep of support: To analyze the success rate of bonds in Texas, the Landing downloaded information about every Texas school bond "proposition" — a term for a list of proposed projects — over the past few decades.
The data shows Texas school districts have asked voters to approve 23 billion-dollar bond propositions over the past two-plus decades — and every one of them has passed.
Historically, schools passed bonds by asking voters to approve one giant proposition, with all of the projects lumped into one vote. But following a law passed in 2019, districts must break the bond package into multiple propositions, with separate votes taken on school construction proposals, technology upgrades, athletics stadiums and more.
While all 23 of the billion-dollar propositions passed, smaller propositions held in the same election have failed on occasion. In November 2023, for example, Conroe ISD voters approved a $1.8 billion proposition for school construction and security upgrades passed in Conroe ISD, but they narrowly rejected a $23 million proposition for a swimming facility.
Houston ISD's bond has two propositions: Nearly $4 billion for school construction and renovations, and about $440 million for technology-related upgrades.
Houston backs bonds: Even when bonds don't top $1 billion, they've passed with significant support in the Houston area, the data show.
The 10 largest Houston-area districts have put 43 propositions on the ballot since 2005. Only four of those propositions failed, while just nine passed with less than 60 percent support.
However, all of those bond votes took place when an elected school board was in power, unlike the current situation in HISD.
Behind the curve: HISD hasn't passed a bond since 2012, which means it's spent less money rebuilding and renovating schools than other neighboring districts.
Compared to other large school districts in the Houston area, HISD voters have approved a fraction of the money for bond projects relative to the size of its student population.
Get out and vote: Early voting for the HISD bond begins Oct. 21, and Election Day is Nov. 5. For more information on voting,.
The Houston Landing also has provided extensive coverage on the bond, including stories about what to know before voting , how the bond would impact each school and what happens next after the vote.
