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Spearman ISD Holds Town Hall to Discuss 2025 Bond Propositions
Spearman, TX - On March 24, Spearman ISD hosted a town hall meeting to discuss the upcoming 2025 bond election. The meeting aimed to provide transparency on the financial implications of the bond proposal on the May ballot and its impact on the district's future. Christian Merritt of Live Oak Financial led the discussion, offering an in-depth breakdown of school finance and the specific bond propositions under consideration.
Understanding School Finance
Merritt provided a comprehensive overview of how school finance operates in Texas, explaining the role of local appraisal districts in setting tax rates and the homestead exemption. He clarified common misconceptions, particularly regarding the over-65 exemption and its relation to tax rates.
A significant factor affecting the district's financial outlook is the 13% decrease in student enrollment since 2021, which has reduced state funding. Merritt also noted that while property values have increased, the corresponding state funding remains unchanged, necessitating additional revenue through local taxation.
Breakdown of the Bond Propositions
The proposed bond package includes three separate propositions:
Understanding School Finance
Merritt provided a comprehensive overview of how school finance operates in Texas, explaining the role of local appraisal districts in setting tax rates and the homestead exemption. He clarified common misconceptions, particularly regarding the over-65 exemption and its relation to tax rates.
A significant factor affecting the district's financial outlook is the 13% decrease in student enrollment since 2021, which has reduced state funding. Merritt also noted that while property values have increased, the corresponding state funding remains unchanged, necessitating additional revenue through local taxation.
Breakdown of the Bond Propositions
The proposed bond package includes three separate propositions:
- Proposition A ($1.2 million) - Focuses on athletic facility improvements, including resurfacing the high school track and constructing a new concrete walkway around the football field. This proposition would result in a 1.2-cent increase in the Interest & Sinking (INS) tax rate, equating to an estimated $2.66 annual increase per $122,000 home.
- Proposition B ($3.275 million) - Addresses general education needs, including transportation updates, tennis court resurfacing, and roofing projects for Spearman Junior High and Gus Birdwell Elementary. If approved, this would raise the INS tax rate by 3.15 cents, amounting to a $6.98 annual increase per $122,000 home.
- Proposition C ($5.1 million) - Proposes refinancing Maintenance & Operations (M&O) debt into a bond, potentially saving the district nearly $5.1 million over the long term. This would result in a 13.9-cent increase in the INS tax rate, or approximately $30.78 annually per $122,000 home.
If all three propositions pass, the total tax rate increase would be 18.25 cents, which translates to an additional $40.42 annually per $122,000 home.
Long-Term Facilities and Strategic Planning
Superintendent Layman highlighted the district's long-term strategic planning efforts, emphasizing the necessity of maintaining and improving school facilities to support student success. He outlined key projects, including updates to the transportation fleet, which consists of 22 vehicles, and much-needed roofing repairs following a severe hailstorm in 2018.
The meeting also covered the district's approach to maintaining safe and efficient transportation, ensuring compliance with state and federal highway safety standards. Additionally, the resurfacing of the tennis courts was discussed, a project that involves collaboration with the city of Spearman for ongoing maintenance.
Community Engagement and Next Steps
Residents were urged to review the financial details and reach out with any questions before casting their votes in the 2025 bond election. The district emphasized that each proposition is voted on separately, allowing taxpayers to decide on each initiative independently.
The meeting concluded with a Q&A session, where community members voiced their concerns about tax increases, school funding challenges, and the district's long-term financial planning. Layman thanked the attendees for their participation and encouraged ongoing engagement as the election approaches.
The Reporter Statesman has posted the audio of the Townhall Meeting on our YouTube Page:
Spearman ISD remains committed to transparency and encourages community participation in the decision-making process. Additional resources on the bond can be found on the district's website at: https://spearmanisdtx.sites.thrillshare.com/page/bond-election-2025
Additional Townhalls: There will be two additional Town Hall meetings held on April 7th at 6pm and April 17th at 6pm in the Elementary Cafeteria.
Voter Eligibility: Any registered voter who lives within the Spearman ISD boundaries is eligible to vote in the May 3, 2025 bond election. You must be registered to vote by April 3, 2025. Register to vote HERE.
Voting Location: Spearman Administration Office, 403 E. 11th St. Spearman, TX
Early Voting: April 22nd through April 29th 2025 between 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
Election Day: May 3, 2025 between 7:00 AM- 7:00 PM.
Long-Term Facilities and Strategic Planning
Superintendent Layman highlighted the district's long-term strategic planning efforts, emphasizing the necessity of maintaining and improving school facilities to support student success. He outlined key projects, including updates to the transportation fleet, which consists of 22 vehicles, and much-needed roofing repairs following a severe hailstorm in 2018.
The meeting also covered the district's approach to maintaining safe and efficient transportation, ensuring compliance with state and federal highway safety standards. Additionally, the resurfacing of the tennis courts was discussed, a project that involves collaboration with the city of Spearman for ongoing maintenance.
Community Engagement and Next Steps
Residents were urged to review the financial details and reach out with any questions before casting their votes in the 2025 bond election. The district emphasized that each proposition is voted on separately, allowing taxpayers to decide on each initiative independently.
The meeting concluded with a Q&A session, where community members voiced their concerns about tax increases, school funding challenges, and the district's long-term financial planning. Layman thanked the attendees for their participation and encouraged ongoing engagement as the election approaches.
The Reporter Statesman has posted the audio of the Townhall Meeting on our YouTube Page:
Spearman ISD remains committed to transparency and encourages community participation in the decision-making process. Additional resources on the bond can be found on the district's website at: https://spearmanisdtx.sites.thrillshare.com/page/bond-election-2025
Additional Townhalls: There will be two additional Town Hall meetings held on April 7th at 6pm and April 17th at 6pm in the Elementary Cafeteria.
Voter Eligibility: Any registered voter who lives within the Spearman ISD boundaries is eligible to vote in the May 3, 2025 bond election. You must be registered to vote by April 3, 2025. Register to vote HERE.
Voting Location: Spearman Administration Office, 403 E. 11th St. Spearman, TX
Early Voting: April 22nd through April 29th 2025 between 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
Election Day: May 3, 2025 between 7:00 AM- 7:00 PM.
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