- Bond & VATRE 2022
- FAQs
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Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question that is not answered on this page, please submit it through our Let's Talk! platform. We want to hear from you!
Bond FAQs
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What is a Bond?
Just as homeowners borrow money in the form of a mortgage to finance the purchase of a home, a school district borrows money in the form of bonds to finance construction, renovation and other capital projects. Both are repaid over time, but in order for a school district to sell bonds, it must go to the voters for approval.
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Why do you need a bond election?
School districts are required by law to ask voters for permission to sell bonds to investors in order to pay for capital expenditures for projects like building a new school or making renovations to existing facilities. Districts take out a loan and then pay that loan back over an extended period of time, much like a family takes out a mortgage loan for their house.
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How is a school bond passed?
A school bond must be approved by a majority of voters who live within the school district’s boundaries.
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How can bond funds be used?
Bond funds can be used to pay for new buildings, additions and renovations to existing buildings, land acquisition, technology, buses, and equipment, among other items. By law, bond funds may not be used to fund daily operating expenses, such as salaries or utilities, which are paid for out of the district’s Maintenance & Operation (M&O) budget.
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What costs are associated with running a district event center?
Based on feedback from districts with similar venues, the event center model could result in approximately $2.4 million in estimated revenues and $3 million in estimated expenses. Additionally, a district-owned event center would save Plano ISD approximately $275,000 annually in cost avoidance by not having to rent and lease spaces for events like graduation, convocation, student events, etc. To be perfectly clear, the venue is not projected to be a for-profit entity. It is intended to provide a dedicated space for student and staff events, programs and competitions, as well as provide another event rental option in the Plano ISD community.
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Where can I see what projects are proposed in this bond election?
The November 2022 bond election includes four propositions, in accordance with a new state law that requires certain projects to be on a standalone proposition for voters to consider. To view each proposition with a list of proposed projects, visit the Bond Election pages.
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Will safety and security upgrades be included in this bond program?
Yes. Proposition B includes $40 million for Safety and Security projects including district-wide upgrades and improvements like access control systems, security camera systems, shatter resistant window film, burglar alarm panel upgrades, two-way radio replacements and a centralized Emergency Operations location. Proposition D also includes security lighting, parking lot resurfacing for Clark Stadium and wrought iron fencing at Kimbrough Stadium.
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Are new schools and facilities included in the bond proposal?
Yes. The bond includes several new facilities that will increase classroom capacity across the school district and expand program offerings for students and teachers.
Proposed new construction includes:
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CTE Center
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Replacement building for Haggard Middle School
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Event Center
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Addition at the Transportation Building
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New gyms at all three senior high schools
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Restroom additions
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Tracks at the middle schools
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Are school renovations included in this bond proposal?
Yes. Renovations are proposed for nearly every campus. Major renovations include:
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Plano Senior High School
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Kitchens and cafeterias at multiple campuses
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Safety and security infrastructure
- New ADA-accessible playgrounds
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What is the amount of the 2022 bond election?
Prop B: School Renovations & Safety - $1,172,976,000
Prop C: Instructional Technology - $173,450,000
Prop D: Event Center - $130,000,000
Prop E: Safety & Maintenance at Stadiums - $19,212,000
The total amount for all four bond propositions is $1,495,638,000.
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Who decided what projects would be in this bond proposal?
The bond project list was recommended by the Future Forward Task Force and the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to call a bond election based on their recommendations.
The Future Forward Task Force, an advisory committee comprising citizens, business leaders, parents, school administrators and teachers met several times in the 2021-2022 school year and through the summer to evaluate and prioritize the district’s current and future needs. Their research included garnering input from the community through a third-party survey, as well as working in committees to identify and prioritize needs. After months of study and public input, the task force made final recommendations to school trustees, which are included in this bond proposal.
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How will the 2022 bond election affect my taxes?
The Plano ISD Interest & Sinking (I&S) tax rate will be $0.23735 whether or not voters approve the bond propositions. Taxpayers in Plano ISD will not see a tax rate increase as a result of this bond election.
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How can Plano ISD afford to issue bonds without an increase to the tax rate?
Taxpayers would not see a tax rate increase from the bonds. A few combined factors have put PISD in this position, including our conservative fiscal approach, paying down debt, rising Taxable Assessed Values and low interest rates.
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Why does the ballot say this will be a tax increase?
Since PISD’s last bond election, the legislature passed a new law requiring school districts to include the language “THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE,” even when the district is not expecting a rate increase. This is because the issuance of new bonds increases the term of the debt repayment at the current rate. The 2022 bond will not impact the tax rate, but will elongate the repayment term at the current rate of 23.7 cents.
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Why is there no other way to fund these projects?
Planning for the district’s current and future needs is one of the fundamental duties of school boards and district administrators. As such, there is a constant evaluation of facilities and other needs in light of the age of district-owned structures, changes in technology, and even changes in instruction. When the district determines that it has needs beyond the capacity of the maintenance and operations budget, the Board of Trustees may issue a bond. The maintenance and operations budget covers the day-to-day expenses of the district, where 86% is directed toward staff salaries and benefits. The Texas Education Agency in the Financial Integrity Ratings System of Texas (Schools FIRST Rating) sets the guidelines for school districts to have three months of operating expenditures in fund balance. Maintaining the required fund balance as well as the operational needs of the district (with limited state funding) may restrict districts from building adequate savings to fund facilities and infrastructure needs to accommodate construction costs of building a new facility or repairing and renovating an older one.
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When was the last time Plano ISD had a bond election?
It has been more than six years since the school district held a bond election. The 2016 bond program included $481 million to fund initiatives recommended by the Plano ISD Facilities and Technology Task Force. All Plano ISD campuses were impacted by district-wide security updates, renovations and facility upgrades, as well as technology improvements. 2016 Bond Program website.
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Have other Texas school districts asked for billion dollar bonds?
Many large and fast-growth school districts have had voter-approved bond elections that exceeded a billion dollars. Since 2017, voters in Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Cypress-Fairbanks, Prosper and Forney have approved bond referendums over $1 billion. Voters in Dallas ISD approved $3.2 billion in 2020.
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What is the difference between the Fine Arts Center that is currently under construction and the proposed Plano ISD Event Center, which is part of the 2022 bond?
The Robinson Fine Arts Center is a performance and exhibition center dedicated to the visual and performing arts. It was funded through the district’s voter approved bond referendum in 2016. The facility features a main theater with seating for 1,500, a Studio Theater with retractable seating for 200, a rehearsal/dance room, and an art gallery for exhibitions.
The proposed Plano ISD Event Center would be a multi-use, arena-style flexible event space used for graduations, sporting events, UIL competitions, FFA events, robotics competitions, teacher in-service activities, national and regional tournaments, and a myriad of other public and private events. The $130 million budget is based on designing a facility that includes approximately 8,500 seats with features similar to the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland ISD. A location for the event center is to be determined.
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When can I cast my vote?
Registered voters may cast their ballot during Early Voting or on Election Day.
Early Voting is October 24 through November 4.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 8.
Visit the Voting page to learn more.
If you're not already a registered voter with your current address on file with the Collin County Elections Office, you have until October 11 to update your voter registration or register for the first time.
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I have a question that's not listed.
If you have additional questions, please submit it using Plano ISD's "Let's Talk" tool.
VATRE FAQs
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What is a Voter Approval Tax Rate Election?
A Voter Approval Tax Rate Election asks voters to consider approving a modified tax rate to increase revenue for student programs as well as teacher and staff salaries.
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How does a VATRE differ from a bond?
A VATRE is for the Maintenance and Operations Tax Rate that supports the General Fund or day-to-day operations, such as maintaining student programs, retaining quality teachers and upholding safety and security standards. A bond election is for the Interest and Sinking Tax Rate that supports the Debt Service Fund to pay bonds that finance things like new buildings, renovations, buses and equipment for safety and security.
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Will the PISD tax rate be lower in 2022-2023?
Yes. The Plano ISD tax rate will be lower in 2022-2023 than it was in 2021-2022. For comparison, the tax rates are shown below:
2021-2022 Total Rate: $1.32075
2022-2023 Total Rate: $1.25975 with voter approval on both the VATRE and Bond Election
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If my tax bill is higher, why isn't the district receiving more money?
The district does not make more money when property values go up due to two factors:
- Property Tax Compression
- Property Tax Rate Compression was implemented in the 2019 legislative session under HB3 and SB2. As property values go up, the M&O tax rate goes down, resulting in neutral revenue for the district.
- Property Tax Rate Compression was implemented in the 2019 legislative session under HB3 and SB2. As property values go up, the M&O tax rate goes down, resulting in neutral revenue for the district.
- Recapture
- Plano ISD is classified as “property wealthy” and subject to the state’s Recapture (”Robin Hood”) Tax. In the 2021-2022 school year, Plano ISD’s Robin Hood payment was $214.1 million. This is more than 34% of your locally-generated operating tax revenue. Since 1993, Plano ISD has paid more than $2.4 billion in recapture.
- Property Tax Compression
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Will the VATRE help Plano ISD maximize state funding?
Yes. By adding 3.2 pennies to the Plano ISD Maintenance & Operations rate, Plano ISD will be able to maximize state funding and use the additional funding on everyday school operations and salaries.
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Can COVID Relief Funds be Used?
No. Plano ISD identified one-time expenditures for its ESSER funds since the grant will be discontinued in a couple of years. Using ESSER funds for salaries isn't sustainable.
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What will happen if the VATRE is not approved by voters?
Plano ISD will need to make difficult budget decisions moving forward. These decisions could impact programs and staffing ratios. The district will need to make budget cuts, which could impact:
- Staffing
- Competitve Pay
- Class Size
- Scheduling
- Elective Programs
- Transportation
- Athletic & Fine Arts Programs
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How has Plano ISD been recognized as a good steward of tax dollars?
Plano ISD’s bond ratings are Aaa/AA+, the highest ratings assigned to Texas school districts by Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s rating agencies. All items promised in the 2016 bond have been addressed and/or are in progress.
For 19 consecutive years, Plano ISD has earned the highest rating of “Superior Achievement” in the state’s School FIRST (Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas) program. This rating shows that Plano ISD’s schools are accountable not only for student learning, but also for achieving results cost effectively and efficiently. The report is based on staff, student and budget data that the financial services team submits annually to the Texas Education Agency.
For 38 consecutive years, Plano ISD has also earned the prestigious Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada. Plano ISD's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) has been judged each year by an impartial panel to meet high standards, including demonstrating a constructive spirit of full disclosure to clearly communicate the school district's financial story. The certificate of achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental financial reporting and accounting. Its attainment represents a significant achievement by the orgnization and its management.
Due to the district’s strong fiscal management practices, Plano ISD has been able to maintain the second-lowest property tax rate among Collin County school districts, and the district’s total tax rate has decreased each year since 2018. Because payments on existing debt are declining as old debt is being paid off, the school district can issue these new bonds without a tax rate increase, based on current interest and tax base growth models.
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When can I cast my vote?
Registered voters may cast their ballot during Early Voting or on Election Day.
Early Voting is October 24 through November 4.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 8.
Visit the Voting page to learn more.
If you're not already a registered voter with your current address on file with the Collin County Elections Office, you have until October 11 to update your voter registration or register for the first time.
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I have a question that's not listed.
If you have additional questions, please submit it using Plano ISD's "Let's Talk" tool.
Election FAQ Videos
Voting FAQs
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Who is eligible to vote in the PISD November 2022 elections?
Anyone who is a registered voter and lives within the Plano ISD district boundaries is eligible to vote in this election.
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Where can I check to see if I'm already registered?
Visit the Texas Secretary of State's "Am I Registered?" page or the Collin County Voter Registration Information page.
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What if I’m not yet registered to vote or need to update my address?
If you'd like to register to vote for the first time, complete a Voter Registration Application. Voter registration applications are available in most government buildings and at the Plano ISD Administration Building. You can also start the process online.
To vote in the November 2022 election, your voter registration application must be postmarked by Tuesday, October 11.
If you need to update your name or address, you can make those changes on the Secretary of State's website.
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Where can I vote in the November 2022 election?
All polling locations are listed on the Collin County Elections website where you will also find an interactive map with estimated wait times.
During Early Voting, voters may vote at any Early Voting polling location in Collin County.
On Election Day, voters may vote at any Election Day Vote Center in Collin County.
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When can I cast my vote?
Voters may vote during Early Voting, which runs from Monday, October 24 through Friday, November 4.
Voters may vote on Election Day, Tuesday, November 8.
Mail-In Ballot Information:
Voters with disabilities 18 and older, those 65 years of age and older, and voters who expect to be out of the county during both the early voting period and election day may request a ballot be mailed to them or download and print the application now. Applications for a Ballot by Mail are also available from the Collin County Elections Office. Friday, October 28 is the last day to apply for Ballot by Mail. Applications must be received by that date, not postmarked.
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Where can I find a sample ballot?
Visit the Collin County website to view your sample ballot.
To view ballot language for each of the Plano ISD propositions, click here.
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Who is eligible for Mail-in Voting and where can I learn more?
The following information has been copied from Collin County Absentee & By-Mail Voting
All currently registered voters of Collin County are eligible to request and receive a by-mail ballot if any of the following conditions prevent them from either voting in-person during the early voting period or on election day:
- 65 years of age or older
- Disability (as defined in Texas Election Code Sec. 82.002(a))
- Expected to give birth within three weeks before or after Election Day
- Expected absence from the county (You may apply for a ballot for one election and its resulting runoff, if your dates of absence from the county include both elections)
- Confined in jail or involuntary civil commitment (You may only apply for a ballot for one election and any resulting runoff)
New VoteReady Ballot by Mail Informational Pamphlets!
- English: https://www.votetexas.gov/resources/pamphlets.html
- Spanish: https://www.votetexas.gov/es/recursos/folletos.html
Voters may submit an Application for a Ballot by Mail (ABBM) by:- An SOS official (formal) application (Texas Election Code Sec. 84.011); or
- An informal Application (Texas Election Code Sec. 84.002)
The request must include the following:
- In writing (i.e., not verbal)
- Indication of which election application is for
- State Grounds for voting by mail
- Contain Address to which ballot to be mailed
- State Registered Residence Address
- Contain Applicant’s Name
- Signed by applicant or witness
If the ballot is not to be mailed outside the County and not to the address at which you are registered, you must give an explanation as to the address such as nursing home, hospital, etc. Applications must be received by this office no later than close of business on the 11th day before election day (unless that day is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal state or national holiday, in which case the last day is the first preceding regular business day) . All voted ballots that are returned on or before 7PM on Election Day will be counted. Those received by 5PM the next business day after Election Day may be counted if they are postmarked by 7PM Election Day.Domestic Applications for Ballot by Mail
To request an absentee ballot, download and print the Absentee Ballot Application. We MUST have an original signature on the application, and cannot accept an electronic signature. Likewise, a voter’s stamped signature is also not permitted. (Texas Election Code Sec. 84.001) Instructions to complete the application are on the second page of the form. Mail the completed application to:
Elections Office
Collin County Early Voting Clerk
2010 Redbud Blvd., Suite 102
McKinney, TX 75069Applications for ballot by mail may also be faxed or emailed and must be received no later than the close of business on the 11th day before Election Day. For an application submitted by fax or email to be effective, the original copy of the application MUST also be mailed and received by the Elections Office by the fourth business day after it was faxed or emailed. (Texas Election Code 84.007, effective Dec. 1, 2017.)
Fax – 972-547-1996
Email – absenteemailballoting@collincountytx.gov
Overseas Applications for Ballot by Mail
Overseas citizens and members of the U.S. military are eligible to use a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to request a mail ballot. FPCA Applications are available from U.S. Embassies, Consulates, and from the Voting Rights Officer at each military installation. For more information go to www.FVAP.gov. For marked ballot deadlines, please go to www.votetexas.gov/military-overseas-voters/index.html.Additionally, if an FPCA is submitted by fax, the original copy must be mailed to the Elections Office and received by the fourth business day after it was faxed. Emailed FPCAs are not subject to the requirement.
Special Conditions
Special conditions are available for persons who become hospitalized or suffer a death in the family after the close of the regular application deadline. Please contact our office at 972-547-1900 for further information.