Questions from the Community

  • The existing Elementary School playground equipment was installed in 1990 and is original to the facility. Replacement parts are no longer available for the equipment.

    In addition, the proposed grade realignment would transition the campus from serving students in grades 2–3 to serving students in grades 1–2. The existing playground was originally designed and installed to serve students in grades 3–5. The proposed new playground equipment will also include accessibility features to accommodate all students.

  • The project budget includes a metal building addition that will house a weight room, a restroom, storage space, new equipment, and furniture.

General

  • School districts are required by state law to ask voters for permission to sell bonds to investors in order to raise the capital dollars required to renovate existing buildings or build a new school. Essentially, it’s permission to take out a loan to build, renovate and pay that loan back over an extended period of time, much like a family takes out a mortgage loan for their home. A school board calls a bond election so voters can decide whether or not they want to pay for proposed facility projects.

  • Recent research by the Environmental Protection Agency suggests that a school’s physical environment can play a major role in academic performance. Leaky roofs and problems with heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems can trigger a host of health problems – including asthma and allergies – that increase absenteeism and reduce academic performance. Research links key environmental factors to health outcomes and students’ ability to perform.

  • Working with the Board of Trustees, teachers, and administrators from across the district, the facilities planning committee developed a list of items to consider for inclusion in a bond package. The District has been evaluating current facilities and equipment, ongoing enrollment, growth, and other district priorities with the Board of Trustees.

  • Under state law, bond funds must be used for items listed on the election ballot. In addition, if the bond passes, the district will invite community members to join a Bond Oversight Committee. This committee will meet regularly to oversee the construction of the bond projects.

  • The school district itself does not set property values. Property values are determined by the McLennan County Appraisal District, an independent government agency responsible for estimating the market value of properties in the county each year. 

    The Appraisal District looks at things like: 

    1. Recent sales of similar homes in your area 

    2. Market trends (supply and demand) 

    3. Improvements or changes made to your property 

    4. Overall neighborhood growth and development 

    In short: The school district doesn’t control your home’s value—the real estate market and the county appraisal process do. Find out more information here.

  • No, bond funds cannot be used for teacher salaries.

  • If the project comes in under budget, Robinson ISD will only have to sell bonds on the amount needed, resulting in a potential tax relief on the homeowners. RISD is legally bound to only use those funds for the projects on the ballot. 

  • At this time, the only other outstanding bond is for Robinson Intermediate which was passed in 2014.

  • A school bond project cannot exceed the voter approved amount. 

  • The architect, school board, construction manager, and administration will all oversee the project. The district will also contract with an independent agent to provide additional oversight.

  • If the bond is approved, the existing Junior High would be partially renovated into Admin Offices after students move into the new Junior High. The specific areas of the building to be renovated will be determined during the design phase.

Taxes

  • If you qualify for an age 65+ or disabled person residence homestead exemption, the tax ceiling is the amount you pay in the year you qualified for your exemption. The school district taxes on your residence homestead may go below, but not above the ceiling amount.

    You must apply for this exemption.

    A surviving spouse age 55 or older may be eligible for their deceased spouse’s age 65 or older exemption if the deceased spouse dies in a year that they qualified for the exemption and lives in the home as his or her primary residence. (Source: https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/exemptions/)

  • A school district’s tax rate is comprised of two components: the Maintenance & Operations tax (M&O) and the Interest & Sinking tax (I&S). The M&O rate is used to operate the school district including salaries, utilities, furniture, supplies, food, gas, etc. The I&S rate is used to pay off school construction bonds. Bond sales only affect the I&S rate. Learn more here.

  • Texas legislature passed laws in 2019 requiring all school bond elections to include the following language on the ballot: “THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE”. The state mandates all bond ballots to include this language, regardless of what individual exemptions each voter may have.

  • If the bond passes, you will see changes for your school taxes on your 2027 tax bill. 

  • As more commercial/industry businesses move into Robinson, they take a tax burden off the residents in Robinson ISD by broadening the tax base. The businesses are able to help pay and reduce the tax impact on homeowners. 

  • You can apply for the homestead exemption here.

Questions about the Robinson ISD Bond?

Fill out the form below and your inquiry will be redirected to the district.