BURTON ISD BOND 2021: THE FINANCIAL IMPACT

  

Burton ISD voters have today (Friday) and Tuesday left to make their voice heard in the school district’s bond election.

Over 400 people have taken part thus far in the election, which proposes $43.8 million in upgrades and renovations for many district facilities.

In the final of three election previews with Superintendent Dr. Edna Kennedy, KWHI will go over the estimated financial impact of the bond on voters.

For an average home value of $200,000 in Burton ISD, the estimated impact for a taxpayer is $36 per month.  Homeowners 65 and older will see zero tax impact over their frozen amount.

Dr. Kennedy says all bond funds will remain in the school district.

 

Breaking down the funding of the $43.8 million bond, $17.7 million would be used for junior high and high school additions and renovations.  Meanwhile, $17.5 million would be for the proposed athletic upgrades, $5.5 million would go toward improvements to the cafeteria and kitchen, and $3 million would be allocated toward fine arts renovation.

In August, the Burton School Board adopted a tax rate of $0.9782 per $100 valuation, including a maintenance and operations (M&O) rate of $0.9033 and an I&S rate of $0.0749.  The district estimates that the total rate would increase to $1.29 per $100 with passage of the bond.

Comparing Burton ISD’s current tax rate to other area school districts, Brenham ISD adopted a tax rate of $0.9884 cents per $100 valuation in August, while Somerville ISD’s newly adopted tax rate is $1.15 per $100 and Snook ISD has a tax rate of $1.34 per $100.

When asked why the academic and athletic proposals were kept as one item on the ballot rather than split into two, Dr. Kennedy said the improvements are not mutually exclusive and cannot be done separately.

 

Dr. Kennedy said the bond would be financed over 30 years for the district, but that could change over time depending on the district’s financial status and what it receives in property taxes.

The most recent bond passed by Burton ISD was in 2008 for $7 million, which funded the building of a new elementary school and gym, bus barn and the Ag Building.  In 2016, voters rejected an $18 million bond proposal.

Early voting for the bond election concludes today (Friday) at the Burton High School auditorium, with hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  For Election Day on Tuesday, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Burton Community Center for voters in Precinct 4 and St. Peter’s Lutheran Church of Gay Hill for voters in Precinct 3.

Click here to read more about the proposed athletic projects in the bond.

Read more about the academic projects included in the bond here.

More information on the bond is available at www.burtonbond2021.com.