Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the proposed bond, project recommendations, taxes, voting information and additional bond resources.

BOND RESOURCES

About the Proposed Bond

  • If approved by voters, the 2026 bond would fund projects in three propositions:

    Proposition A: Campus Replacements & District-wide Improvements - $852,173,783

    • 5 New Replacement Campuses

      • Lively Elementary School

      • T. Haley Elementary School

      • J. O. Davis Elementary School

      • Travis Middle School

      • Irving High School

    • District-wide Improvements

      • Safety and Security, CTE (Career & Technical Education), and Fine Arts

      • Campus Renovations

    Proposition B: Technology Updates -  $40,000,000

    • Student and Staff Devices and Infrastructure

    Proposition C: Student Program Facilities - $60,162,278

    • Three High School Indoor Multi-Purpose Facilities

  • If the voters approve the bond propositions, the projected tax rate impact will be $0.1250 (12.50 cents). For the average home in Irving ISD valued at $340,000, that would be an impact of $20.83 a month.

  • The Facility Planning Committee emphasized the importance of student engagement during their evaluation process.

    While Proposition C was not approved in 2023, the 2026 Facility Planning Committee conducted a new, independent evaluation as part of the district's planning process. After reviewing demographic studies, enrollment projections, facility assessments, educational specifications and project cost estimates, the committee again recommended including multi-purpose facilities in the proposed bond package to provide flexible spaces for a wide range of student programs and activities.

    The proposed facilities would be used by students participating in JROTC programs, marching band, drill team, color guard, athletics, STEM, cheerleading, field day and other school and community activities.

    Additionally, these facilities would provide climate-controlled spaces for athletics, fine arts, and other District programs, while sheltering students during extreme weather and complying with UIL's 2023 Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) safety guidelines.

    The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) measurement evaluates heat stress by considering factors such as temperature, humidity, wind speed, solar radiation, sun angle, and cloud cover. The Heat Index only considers temperature and humidity.

  • 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.

  • Yes. 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.

  • The proposed 2026 bond continues Irving ISD’s long-range facilities planning process, which began well before the district’s 2023 bond program.

    A Facilities Planning Committee (FPC), comprised of parents, students, staff, and community members, reviewed demographic studies, enrollment projections, facility assessments, educational specifications, long-range planning information, and project cost estimates before making its recommendations to the Board of Trustees.

    The proposed bond propositions include projects identified through that planning process to address aging facilities, student programs, technology, safety, and district infrastructure.

  • Legal

    Bond funds are legally restricted to the purposes approved by voters and cannot be redirected to unrelated expenses.

    Bond 2023

    Irving ISD has demonstrated progress on voter-approved bond projects. Six of the seven new construction projects from the 2023 bond are complete, and the new Career and Technical Education Center is expected to open in 2027. The district continues to provide updates on bond projects to promote transparency and accountability. Community members can view project updates, photos and construction progress on the Irving ISD Bond 2023 website.

    Financial Transparency

    Irving ISD has received an “A” financial rating from the School Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) for "Superior" management of school funds for the past 5 years.

General Questions

Taxes & Finance

  • The school district itself does not set property values. Property values are determined by the Dallas County Appraisal District, an independent government agency responsible for assessing 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.

    Teacher salaries are affected by the M&O (Maintenance & Operations) tax rate, which is a function of limitations imposed by the state.

  • 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 teacher 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.

  • If you qualify for an age 65+ or disabled person residence homestead exemption, the school district taxes on your residence homestead cannot increase above your approved tax ceiling—as long as you own and live in the home and do not make any improvements/additions. The tax ceiling is the amount you paid in the year you qualified for the exemption. While your school district taxes may decrease, they cannot increase above your tax ceiling. You must apply for this exemption. 

    Apply 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 that all bond ballots include this language, regardless of any individual exemptions a voter may have.

  • You can apply for the homestead exemption here.

Voting Information

  • The last day to register to vote in the November 3 election is Monday, October 5. Eligible Texans may register or update their voter registration before this deadline.

    If you are not registered to vote, Texas requires you to submit a paper voter registration application either in person or by mail. Online voter registration is not available.

    Check your registration status here

  • Election Day is Tuesday, November 3.

  • Early voting runs from Monday, October 19, through Friday, October 30.

  • Voters may cast their ballot at any Irving ISD campus during the posted hours.

Still Have a Question?

Contact Irving ISD or submit your question, and a member of the district team will be happy to assist you.