Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the total amount of the bond?
Round Rock ISD trustees called for a $998 million bond to address needs at facilities throughout the district.

How many propositions are in the bond?
There are four propositions in the bond. Voters decide on each proposition separately.

Prop A – General Purpose: $798.3 million
Prop B – Technology: $125.3 million
Prop C – Fine Arts: $8.6 million
Prop D – Athletics & Stadiums: $65.9 million

What’s a bond and why do I have to vote on it?
When consumers borrow money for a house, they apply for a mortgage. When a school district wants to build a school or buy expensive equipment, it sells bonds to investors. The money from those investors acts as a loan to the school district, allowing it to make big-ticket purchases. Just like many consumers, a school district would need to borrow money for a building or remodeling project, to upgrade expensive technology, to buy vehicles, or to purchase land.

Texas school districts can issue bonds only with voter approval and only for the amount approved by voters. The district is not required to borrow all the money approved by voters, but it also can’t borrow more, even if a construction project were to run over budget.

Why doesn’t Round Rock ISD save up money for big projects?
Just like in families, it’s impractical to save up for “big ticket” items before buying them, especially when the needs exist now. New school buses cost more than $170,000 each—the District can buy one or cover the salaries of nearly three teachers. To buy 10 buses means the loss of 28 teacher salaries. A 24-classroom addition to Cedar Ridge High School is expected to cost $25.9 million. That’s more than 5.5% of Round Rock ISD’s annual operating budget, and only one of many critical needs.

In addition, a bond election allows citizens oversight as to where they want to invest in capital improvements. In essence, the community approves new schools being built, renovations and additions to current schools, technology upgrades, safety and security upgrades or bus purchases through their votes.

Why doesn’t Round Rock ISD use the bond to increase teacher salaries?
Texas law prohibits districts from using bond funds for compensation increases or teacher salaries.

Who decided what is needed in the bond?
A group of committed community volunteers worked for thousands of hours to weigh the needs of hundreds of projects and decide which were the most critical. In April, the Citizen Bond Committee, made up of more than 120 community members, taxpayers and parents, began meeting to create bond recommendations for the Board of Trustees. The group delivered its recommendations in July and, using those recommendations, trustees developed the bond package for the November election.

How are costs estimated?
To estimate project costs, the District consults with local builders familiar with costs in Central Texas. As construction demand rises in the region, some builders have reported costs topping $300 per square foot. The District also checks into the costs of comparable projects in nearby school districts. Project estimates are total project costs, not just construction costs. The estimate for new schools and classrooms will include finishes, furnishings and generally the technology for that space.

Each project is site-specific and is estimated on its own merits. Factors that could influence costs include historic significance; lead or asbestos abatement; the condition of the underlying infrastructure; varying excavation costs; deconstruction; time of year the project must be completed; timeframe to complete the project; background checks for workers on campuses; and the health, welfare and safety needs of students and staff. Estimators try to anticipate these factors and use a reasonable number that will allow the District to accomplish the project.

Why are costs so high?
Construction is driven by the market. In Central Texas, with its strong economy, rapid growth and low unemployment rate, skilled construction workers are in high demand and get high wages, which increases labor costs. Even delivery labor costs are up across the board. Material costs can go up with high demand, inflation or other market forces. Contractors will bid high enough to be able to hire qualified and reputable subcontractors. In this region, school districts are competing with other districts, home builders, the Texas Department of Transportation, and the commercial industry to find builders who can deliver on their promises.

When was the last bond passed in Round Rock ISD?
Voters passed a Bond package six years ago in 2018 and the 2024 Bond package is the first to be brought to voters since that time. Money from the 2018 Bond funded the construction of Redbud Elementary School which addressed explosive growth on the District’s northeast side; the reconstruction of the District’s oldest facility, C.D. Fulkes Middle School; expanding existing schools to replace portables and accommodate growth; a significant investment in modernizing both McNeil and Westwood high schools; replacing and upgrading aging and obsolete items and systems in older facilities (including roofing, HVAC; electrical and plumbing upgrades); replacing out-of-date technology; and building new facilities to accommodate growth.