Debates Surrounding HISD’s Proposed $4.4 Billion Bond
Recent surveys reveal mixed feelings among Houston voters regarding HISD’s proposed $4.4 billion bond, a significant funding package to upgrade school facilities, technology, and security across the district.
The Texas American Federation of Teachers (Texas AFT) survey indicates a potential uphill battle for HISD, as over half of the 736 likely voters surveyed expressed opposition to the bond. Only about 30% of respondents showed support, while nearly 20% remained undecided or uninterested in voting on the measure.
This opinion is at odds with a poll conducted by the Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University, which presented a more positive image. Approximately 1,900 HISD residents participated in the poll, and roughly 75% favored a school bond that wouldn’t raise property taxes. However, as the plan from HISD was still being developed at the time of the survey, it was not accurately reflected in the Kinder poll. One notable omission from HISD’s $4.4 billion bond package is an increase in property taxes, which may sway voters’ opinions as the election draws near.
If approved, the proposed bond would be the biggest in Texas’s educational history. Without raising taxes, it intends to spend billions on pre-K, professional and technical education, safety and security measures, and rebuilding and renovating aging schools. The Houston Federation of Teachers (HFT) is one group that has opposed the bond despite its lofty objectives. Texas AFT’s local affiliate, the HFT, has voiced strong opposition, expressing worries about the financial accountability of HISD’s present management, especially Superintendent Mike Miles.
HFT President Jackie Anderson told the Defender her concerns about the bond, emphasizing that the real question for voters is whether they support or oppose a property tax increase to pay for it. She pointed out that the ballot language, as the law requires, explicitly states this as a property tax increase.
“We don’t take seriously the public polls saying voters would support a bond that does not raise taxes, because, as the actual ballot language makes clear, this is a property tax increase,” Anderson said. “Our poll asked about the actual policy being considered and found only 39% support it.”
Anderson acknowledged the public’s strong support for investing in public education, a priority for many HISD voters. However, she criticized the Kinder poll for not capturing the broader context surrounding HISD’s management.
“The TEA takeover is unpopular, Mike Miles is not trusted to manage HISD funds, and voters don’t trust him to manage their tax dollars,” Anderson stated.
She also noted the demographic differences between the Kinder poll’s respondents and the likely voter electorate sampled by HFT.
During a recent town hall panel hosted by U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia, community members, including parents and teachers, voiced their concerns about the bond’s financial accountability and potential impact on the district’s schools. The panel featured supporters and opponents of the bond, highlighting the divisive nature of this issue within the community.
Proponents of the bond argue that HISD is long overdue for significant upgrades, pointing out that the district has gone 12 years without a successful bond vote. They stressed the importance of modernizing facilities and expanding educational programs to ensure students access high-quality learning environments. However, opponents, including the HFT, question the district’s ability to manage such a large sum responsibly. They argue that the community cannot trust Miles to invest taxpayer money wisely, given the ongoing concerns about HISD’s leadership.
Garcia, who moderated the town hall, expressed her uncertainty about the bond. She indicated that she would decide after receiving more information from HISD regarding its financial plans.
Houston residents who wish to vote on the bond must be registered by Oct. 7.