I for one cannot vote yes on any propositions. I realize it's needed. But at what point do we say enough? You can't tax us out of our homes and then ask for almost 400 MILLION from us. Just my 2 cents.
Bryan Propositions
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Last: 1 mo ago by Average Joe
michellecannot*
Im not even going to read them. Everything is a NO at this point.
I am voting "YES" on all 3 propositions. For a multitude of reasons: (1) Its no increase to my tax rate (any issue with increasing property values should be taken up with BCAD). (2). The Texas State legislators have cut funding from underneath Texas public schools and diverted those funds to private schools but withheld any of the same accountability measures - which is crap (3). More roof tops don't equate to dollar for dollar funding to public schools (4). Upwards of 80% of available budget in BISD is for teacher salaries, so its not like they can just go drop $500,000 on a chiller at any given time. (5) If your public education sector goes to crap, so does your town. (6). At one point in mine and your life, a generation before me thought it be best that I not go to school with dirt floors and no a/c, so its my turn to pay it forward.
Can someone post the actual props?
I thought this post was going to be about a BPD sting for johns looking for a lady.
SIR!
Vinewood_03 said:
I am voting "YES" on all 3 propositions. For a multitude of reasons: (1) Its no increase to my tax rate (any issue with increasing property values should be taken up with BCAD).
This is a common talking point heard whenever there's a school bond election.
As required by Texas law, the ballot clearly states THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE in capital letters next to each of the 3 propositions. This is because regardless of whether there will be an immediate increase to the tax rate, the fact is that any bond issuance is additional debt which must eventually be repaid (with interest).
The money for BISD to repay debt comes directly from property taxes. So it follows that overall, property taxes must remain higher for longer than they would have otherwise, had more debt not been incurred.
So don't tell me a $400 million BISD bond issuance doesn't increase my property taxes, because in the end, it absolutely does.
But that's just one factor in the Against column. Sample Brazos County Ballot
2020: $175 million BISD bond approved ("without raising the tax rate" per BISD)
2025: $397 million BISD bond on the ballot ("no tax rate increase" per BISD)
trouble said:
Can someone post the actual props?
The last link in my post above is BISD's version of how much extra money they need and why. On top of the $240 million or so it takes just to operate for a year.
Edit to add a link to the complete list of proposed projects.
Thanks
NateDog said:Vinewood_03 said:
I am voting "YES" on all 3 propositions. For a multitude of reasons: (1) Its no increase to my tax rate (any issue with increasing property values should be taken up with BCAD).
This is a common talking point heard whenever there's a school bond election.
As required by Texas law, the ballot clearly states THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE in capital letters next to each of the 3 propositions. This is because regardless of whether there will be an immediate increase to the tax rate, the fact is that any bond issuance is additional debt which must eventually be repaid (with interest).
The money for BISD to repay debt comes directly from property taxes. So it follows that overall, property taxes must remain higher for longer than they would have otherwise, had more debt not been incurred.
So don't tell me a $400 million BISD bond issuance doesn't increase my property taxes, because in the end, it absolutely does.
But that's just one factor in the Against column. Sample Brazos County Ballot
2020: $175 million BISD bond approved ("without raising the tax rate" per BISD)
2025: $397 million BISD bond on the ballot ("no tax rate increase" per BISD)
On the other hand, delaying major maintenance expenses can end up costing more in the long run. For example, delaying roof repairs because the bond was rejected could result in additional damage to the buildings.
I get that people may not agree with specific items in particular bonds, but the knee jerk "no" vote purely because of "no new taxes" could easily end up costing the taxpayers more. In all likelihood, if all three are voted down, they will be back on the ballot again, likely with minimal changes. And it is entirely possible that next time around, the same wishlist will be more expensive.
michellecan said:
I for one cannot vote yes on any propositions. I realize it's needed. But at what point do we say enough? You can't tax us out of our homes and then ask for almost 400 MILLION from us. Just my 2 cents.
"I realize it's needed but screw them kids."
I'm voting for all three, even if it raises my taxes. It's one of those things where I think the community needs to sacrifice a little for the greater good. Items included in this bond are desperately needed. In fact, there was as much as 800 million dollars worth of needs for the school district. Members of this community and the BISD school board & administrators made what I believe was a prudent and wise decision to include the items they did in this bond.
My Kiddo graduated several years ago and had a great experience in BISD. Because of that, I want to make sure other students get the same, if not a better.
Look, I get it, I don't like taxes any more than the next guy, but I'll be damned if I'm not going to sit on the sidelines and hope things get better. It's time to move forward and commit to the resources needed for each student, teacher, and administrator to succeed in Bryan.
Just my two cents.
My Kiddo graduated several years ago and had a great experience in BISD. Because of that, I want to make sure other students get the same, if not a better.
Look, I get it, I don't like taxes any more than the next guy, but I'll be damned if I'm not going to sit on the sidelines and hope things get better. It's time to move forward and commit to the resources needed for each student, teacher, and administrator to succeed in Bryan.
Just my two cents.
GoodOleBryanBoy said:
I'm voting for all three, even if it raises my taxes. It's one of those things where I think the community needs to sacrifice a little for the greater good. Items included in this bond are desperately needed. In fact, there was as much as 800 million dollars worth of needs for the school district. Members of this community and the BISD school board & administrators made what I believe was a prudent and wise decision to include the items they did in this bond.
My Kiddo graduated several years ago and had a great experience in BISD. Because of that, I want to make sure other students get the same, if not a better.
Look, I get it, I don't like taxes any more than the next guy, but I'll be damned if I'm not going to sit on the sidelines and hope things get better. It's time to move forward and commit to the resources needed for each student, teacher, and administrator to succeed in Bryan.
Just my two cents.
Informed opinion and good points.
GoodOleBryanBoy said:
I'm voting for all three, even if it raises my taxes. It's one of those things where I think the community needs to sacrifice a little for the greater good. Items included in this bond are desperately needed. In fact, there was as much as 800 million dollars worth of needs for the school district. Members of this community and the BISD school board & administrators made what I believe was a prudent and wise decision to include the items they did in this bond.
My Kiddo graduated several years ago and had a great experience in BISD. Because of that, I want to make sure other students get the same, if not a better.
Look, I get it, I don't like taxes any more than the next guy, but I'll be damned if I'm not going to sit on the sidelines and hope things get better. It's time to move forward and commit to the resources needed for each student, teacher, and administrator to succeed in Bryan.
Just my two cents.
Wise words!
Genuine question, but do you envision a world where a public school system not have debt? There are 23 campuses in Bryan ISD and an apparatus (State of Texas) that dictates what you can and can't spend money on for the most part. Not to mention you can't dictate your clientele base (like Private schools can). Its also extremely important to note that a school districts "gross income" is capped based on its enrollment and any dollars in excess of that cap are re-captured by guess who....State of Texas. What business or personal household would want its level of income capped and any excess swept over to their neighbor? The industry of public education in the State of Texas is fighting with both arms tied behind their back.
I have kids in the district and have followed this bond process from the very beginning. Its long been the practice of the district to be FISCALLY CONSERVATIVE and reduce its debt exposure by paying down principal which has enabled its capacity to borrower upwards of $400MM without changing the TAX RATE. Does it mean tax payers will have to now pay that off, yes. BUT borrowing money is the only way the district can improve its dilapidated facilities. Roofs need repairs, Chillers break all the time, and heaven forbid our athletes have something nice that they can feel proud of. Bryan ISD has exceeded the useful life out of damn near everything proposed in these bonds. Some of this stuff is 25 years old, if not older and the reality is, Bryan ISD probably played it too conservative over the last decade.
Pretty simple in my mind. Spend tax dollars on schools or prisons......I'll choose the former all day.
I have kids in the district and have followed this bond process from the very beginning. Its long been the practice of the district to be FISCALLY CONSERVATIVE and reduce its debt exposure by paying down principal which has enabled its capacity to borrower upwards of $400MM without changing the TAX RATE. Does it mean tax payers will have to now pay that off, yes. BUT borrowing money is the only way the district can improve its dilapidated facilities. Roofs need repairs, Chillers break all the time, and heaven forbid our athletes have something nice that they can feel proud of. Bryan ISD has exceeded the useful life out of damn near everything proposed in these bonds. Some of this stuff is 25 years old, if not older and the reality is, Bryan ISD probably played it too conservative over the last decade.
Pretty simple in my mind. Spend tax dollars on schools or prisons......I'll choose the former all day.
"I realize it's needed but screw them kids."
Not what I said or even thought.
Not what I said or even thought.
Public school bonds are critical, and the initiatives are defined by our citizens. These tax dollars will enhance the experiences of 16,000 local youth for years to come. I applaud Bryan ISD for a long history of being fiscally conservative, but the fact is we have fallen far behind other districts and communities.
The State of Texas limits funding and regulates spending for public schools, and does not provide adequate funding to maintain/build facilities. This decision and responsibility is left to the taxpayer. Bryan ISD depends on our community to approve Bonds in order to satisfy these needs. If we do not approve Bonds we will continue to fall behind, facilities will decline, and the financial burden of maintaining them will only increase. The Bond is the mechanism for our community to approve funding for facility improvements for our public schools.
If we desire for Bryan to continue to thrive and be an attractive place for families, this is a critical investment. Vote Yes for all 3 Propositions!
The State of Texas limits funding and regulates spending for public schools, and does not provide adequate funding to maintain/build facilities. This decision and responsibility is left to the taxpayer. Bryan ISD depends on our community to approve Bonds in order to satisfy these needs. If we do not approve Bonds we will continue to fall behind, facilities will decline, and the financial burden of maintaining them will only increase. The Bond is the mechanism for our community to approve funding for facility improvements for our public schools.
If we desire for Bryan to continue to thrive and be an attractive place for families, this is a critical investment. Vote Yes for all 3 Propositions!
I will be voting for all three. If folks in College Station thought there facilities were bad and needing the bond passed for upgrades, Bryans needs or problems are just as bad or worse. Buildings, rooms, fields, gyms have to be maintained, refreshed and just normal year to year maintenance is not going to do this. Stuff wears out, not able to fix it after years and needs to be replaced.
Short version: Please do your research and acknowledge the time and effort that went into developing these bond propositions. These updates are desperately needed. Here is a link with a lot of info directly from the district.
https://www.bryanisd.org/page/2025-bryan-isd-bond-plan
Long version:
I have a son who graduated from Bryan High and one that is currently there. Between them, they have participated in 4 sports and multiple organizations, and our family is very involved in many of the athletic programs. I also have spent time volunteering at several of the schools. Our experience with academics and sports has been good overall. Even on losing teams (which we want to fix), my boys have learned valuable life lessons. I have sometimes disagreed with the administration, coaches, and staff, but I also have seen the impact that those same people have had in the lives of my boys. The majority of them genuinely want is best for the students and take their jobs very seriously. I want other students to be given even more opportunities and have updated, modern facilities.
The decisions on these bonds and what to put in them was a long, difficult journey. Committee members spent hours in meetings, doing walk-throughs, and whittling down the asks for these bonds. I have spoken to several of the committee members, and their task was taken very seriously. A lot of stuff did NOT make the bonds because they also worked hard to keep the bonds below the threshold that would raise the tax rate (which actually has been lowered over the last 10 or so years due to paying old bonds and debt down).
As far as regular maintenance goes, the staff are doing all they can within the funds that they have. Here is one example of a situation where something has outlived regular maintenance. The showers in the one of the locker rooms in the fieldhouse do not work individually. They are either all on or all off. The facilities are so old that they can't even get the parts to fix them because they don't make them anymore. From my understanding, this is the case in several of the facilities. So, the problem has exceeded "regular maintenance" and is now at the replacement stage. However, there is no money for replacements.
Another example is the Bryan High baseball field. The baseball field's drainage is terrible. If it rains, the players often cannot get back on the field for several days. Some "band aids" have been tried to help with the problem, but they really need to tear it all up and redesign the field. If it comes to that, putting in artificial turf is the way to go. Having turf allows our teams the ability to be playing and practicing on the field as much as their counterparts and the ability to host tournaments and playoff games. Do I think that hosting those will raise tons of money? No. However, the ability to have those events in a positive thing for our district and will bring in some money.
The fieldhouse was built when in 1972 and only served a few teams for Bryan High. Since then, many teams have been added/grown and Rudder Varsity plays at Merrill Green. Several teams share or have their locker rooms in other buildings. The fieldhouse is old and in desperate need of repair and the amount of people needed to use it has greatly increased. A new larger facility would give everyone space as well as give the students a place to feel proud of.
These are just a few specific examples. I could write many more. My boys will likely never directly benefit from the bonds. However, I don't want other students to have the problems that our sons did. I don't want them to be embarrassed or feel frustrated because of issues related to facilities. I want them to have pride and be grateful for the chance to play in great updated facilities.
I get that people don't want to have higher taxes. I don't either. However, many do not understand that bonds are the only way that our legislature allows many of these fixes to be made. Many don't know that if we simply raise taxes and bring in more money, the state can take more from us. The districts also can't have huge rainy-day funds to save for future facilities. Every single penny from the state has very specific rules on what it can be spent on and many new requirements from the legislature are made without giving districts the funds to pay for them. Until the legislature decides to fix school finance and programs like recapture and Robinhood, this is the only way for the district to do what it needs to do.
If you made it this far, thanks for doing your research and listening to others in the community regarding the bonds. I hope that the bond passes so that our students no longer have to deal with many of the outdated and broken facilities.
https://www.bryanisd.org/page/2025-bryan-isd-bond-plan
Long version:
I have a son who graduated from Bryan High and one that is currently there. Between them, they have participated in 4 sports and multiple organizations, and our family is very involved in many of the athletic programs. I also have spent time volunteering at several of the schools. Our experience with academics and sports has been good overall. Even on losing teams (which we want to fix), my boys have learned valuable life lessons. I have sometimes disagreed with the administration, coaches, and staff, but I also have seen the impact that those same people have had in the lives of my boys. The majority of them genuinely want is best for the students and take their jobs very seriously. I want other students to be given even more opportunities and have updated, modern facilities.
The decisions on these bonds and what to put in them was a long, difficult journey. Committee members spent hours in meetings, doing walk-throughs, and whittling down the asks for these bonds. I have spoken to several of the committee members, and their task was taken very seriously. A lot of stuff did NOT make the bonds because they also worked hard to keep the bonds below the threshold that would raise the tax rate (which actually has been lowered over the last 10 or so years due to paying old bonds and debt down).
As far as regular maintenance goes, the staff are doing all they can within the funds that they have. Here is one example of a situation where something has outlived regular maintenance. The showers in the one of the locker rooms in the fieldhouse do not work individually. They are either all on or all off. The facilities are so old that they can't even get the parts to fix them because they don't make them anymore. From my understanding, this is the case in several of the facilities. So, the problem has exceeded "regular maintenance" and is now at the replacement stage. However, there is no money for replacements.
Another example is the Bryan High baseball field. The baseball field's drainage is terrible. If it rains, the players often cannot get back on the field for several days. Some "band aids" have been tried to help with the problem, but they really need to tear it all up and redesign the field. If it comes to that, putting in artificial turf is the way to go. Having turf allows our teams the ability to be playing and practicing on the field as much as their counterparts and the ability to host tournaments and playoff games. Do I think that hosting those will raise tons of money? No. However, the ability to have those events in a positive thing for our district and will bring in some money.
The fieldhouse was built when in 1972 and only served a few teams for Bryan High. Since then, many teams have been added/grown and Rudder Varsity plays at Merrill Green. Several teams share or have their locker rooms in other buildings. The fieldhouse is old and in desperate need of repair and the amount of people needed to use it has greatly increased. A new larger facility would give everyone space as well as give the students a place to feel proud of.
These are just a few specific examples. I could write many more. My boys will likely never directly benefit from the bonds. However, I don't want other students to have the problems that our sons did. I don't want them to be embarrassed or feel frustrated because of issues related to facilities. I want them to have pride and be grateful for the chance to play in great updated facilities.
I get that people don't want to have higher taxes. I don't either. However, many do not understand that bonds are the only way that our legislature allows many of these fixes to be made. Many don't know that if we simply raise taxes and bring in more money, the state can take more from us. The districts also can't have huge rainy-day funds to save for future facilities. Every single penny from the state has very specific rules on what it can be spent on and many new requirements from the legislature are made without giving districts the funds to pay for them. Until the legislature decides to fix school finance and programs like recapture and Robinhood, this is the only way for the district to do what it needs to do.
If you made it this far, thanks for doing your research and listening to others in the community regarding the bonds. I hope that the bond passes so that our students no longer have to deal with many of the outdated and broken facilities.
Vinewood_03 said:
I am voting "YES" on all 3 propositions. For a multitude of reasons: (1) Its no increase to my tax rate
You realize that is a lie, right?
ALL money spent by a taxing entity comes from taxes eventually. Using debt to fund something just means that the TAX MONEY spent to pay off that bond is coming from your kid's future tax bill.
Plus, using the phrase "increase the tax rate" is pretty dumb when the tax rate is already ABSURDLY HIGH.
I will never, EVER vote in favor of a school bond proposal again.
--
Chris Barnes
Retired A&M IT geek - now beekeeper
http://www.cornerstonehoneybees.com/
Chris Barnes
Retired A&M IT geek - now beekeeper
http://www.cornerstonehoneybees.com/
TxFig said:Vinewood_03 said:
I am voting "YES" on all 3 propositions. For a multitude of reasons: (1) Its no increase to my tax rate
You realize that is a lie, right?
ALL money spent by a taxing entity comes from taxes eventually. Using debt to fund something just means that the TAX MONEY spent to pay off that bond is coming from your kid's future tax bill.
Plus, using the phrase "increase the tax rate" is pretty dumb when the tax rate is already ABSURDLY HIGH.
I will never, EVER vote in favor of a school bond proposal again.
Can we assume you are also voting against all the state proposals to create exceptions for property taxes. After all, any dollar not paid by a 65+ is a dollar that has to be paid by everyone else.
TxFig said:Vinewood_03 said:
I am voting "YES" on all 3 propositions. For a multitude of reasons: (1) Its no increase to my tax rate
You realize that is a lie, right?
ALL money spent by a taxing entity comes from taxes eventually. Using debt to fund something just means that the TAX MONEY spent to pay off that bond is coming from your kid's future tax bill.
Plus, using the phrase "increase the tax rate" is pretty dumb when the tax rate is already ABSURDLY HIGH.
I will never, EVER vote in favor of a school bond proposal again.
Its not a lie. The tax rate isn't changing. Where is this lie you speak of?
Because while your rate isn't changing, it would be going down if they didn't have new bonds to pay. It is like paying off a credit card and immediately maxing it out again, you will have a payment forever and it will never go down.
Do you envision a scenario where a public school district isn't in debt? Bryan ISD has kept its I&S RATE the same since 2021. Payments on any retired debt are snow balled into other bond payments thus reducing interest paid over the life of the bonds and creating capacity to borrow up to $397MM without increasing the TAX RATE. Just curious from the "Hell No" crowd how they envision PUBLIC schools to pay for priority maintenance items.....
I am realistic and know that a certain level of debt will always be there. The problem I have is that just because you CAN borrow $397 million doesn't mean that you SHOULD. Often times these bond elections come off as looking like a Christmas wish list (not applying that to most of the maintenance stuff).
Glad you brought up the Could's and Should's. A group of over 75 Bryan-ites met over the summer and identified over $800MM in items of varying priority throughout all of Bryan ISD but felt it best to maximize the dollars at hand without a tax rate increase. The full $800MM ask is probably was should have happened.....Your handle is CSLIFER so curious to know what research you've done within in these propositions to have such an opinion for Bryan ISD? (Also, of the $397MM...over $325MM is standard priority maintenance).
Pay now or pay more later. If the quality of your schools deteriorates, your community will soon follow. Can't understand kicking the can down the road to end up in a worse position. As with everything, you get what you pay for. I choose to pay for a clean, safe and improving place to live.
Sadly if a part of the bond issue doesn't pass they will just repackage it and run it out again in a year or so. Persistence until fatigue wins the day.
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Quite a bit to address here..
1. The fact that you think the whole $800 million wishlist should have been approved says that you are just going along with what they ask for. We have to require some sort of fiscal responsibility from our government as it is OUR money. Just because they spend like drunken sailors in DC and Austin doesn't mean we have to locally.
2. It is entirely possible to have a username referencing a specific city and own property in several jurisdictions, and thus have an opinion about the taxes I pay.
3. Are we really supposed to say that because it is only $72 million in wish list items it is ok?
1. The fact that you think the whole $800 million wishlist should have been approved says that you are just going along with what they ask for. We have to require some sort of fiscal responsibility from our government as it is OUR money. Just because they spend like drunken sailors in DC and Austin doesn't mean we have to locally.
2. It is entirely possible to have a username referencing a specific city and own property in several jurisdictions, and thus have an opinion about the taxes I pay.
3. Are we really supposed to say that because it is only $72 million in wish list items it is ok?
I feel safe saying that not spending $4.06 million on "All in one interactive classroom digital displays" will not bring down the quality of the schools or our community.
School isn't what it looked like for you and me anymore. Again, spend it now, or spend it later.
350,000 people in the county by 2040 - https://www.bwx-bcs.org/about/
More people are coming and if you don't keep up, the quality of teachers and schools will go down.
The city is growing, people are coming, interstate too, and the facilities need to be upgraded.
We love to play catch up here, just to save a buck.
More people are coming and if you don't keep up, the quality of teachers and schools will go down.
The city is growing, people are coming, interstate too, and the facilities need to be upgraded.
We love to play catch up here, just to save a buck.
EBrazosAg said:
Sadly if a part of the bond issue doesn't pass they will just repackage it and run it out again in a year or so. Persistence until fatigue wins the day.
Persistence because the items sought in the bond are needed by the district to help have successful students all around.
Lamar ISD is having a bind election today too. Just shy of $2 billion. Rapid growth, new schools.
It's hard being a desireable place to live.
Looks like michellecannot will be burdened with Bond $$ she didn't want...
WTAW election results
WTAW election results