Questions?

A bond is similar to a home mortgage. It is a contract to repay borrowed money with interest over time. Bonds are sold by a school district to competing lenders to raise funds to pay for the costs of construction, renovations, and equipment. Most school districts in Texas utilize bonds to finance renovations and new facilities. 

Bond funds can be used to pay for new buildings, additions and renovations to exisiting facilities, athletic structures, land acquistion, technology infrastructure, and equipment for new or exsisting buildings. Bonds cannot be used for salaries or operating costs such as utility bills, supplies, building maintenance, fuel, and insurance. 

Planning for the district's current and future needs is one of the fundamental duties of school boards and district administrators. As such, facilities and other needs are constantly evaluated in light of the age of district-owned structures, changes in technology, and even changes in instructions. 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 district's day-to-day expenses. 

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 operation expenditures in fund balance. Maintaining the required fund balance and the operation needs of the district (with limited state funding) may allow districts to build adequate savings to fund facilities and infrastructure needs to accommodate the construction costs of building a new facility or repairing and renovating an older one. 

Since 2019, state law requires all bond propositions for any school district to have the phrase "THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE" on all ballot language for bond propositions. 

Any registered voter who lives within the Sweeny ISD boundaries—and whose voter registration is based on their current Sweeny ISD residence—is eligible to vote in this bond election. 

Understanding School Tax Rates in Texas