On August 11th, 2025, Magnolia Independent School District (Magnolia ISD) ordered a bond election to be held on the uniform election date, November 4th, 2025. According to its website, Magnolia ISD is expected to exceed 22,000 students by 2034, which it believes warrants the construction of new facilities, specifically one new high school, two new elementary schools, and renovations to an existing school. In addition, separate propositions seek improvements to athletic facilities, such as new lighting for tennis courts, new turf fields, new seating for baseball and softball fields, and a natatorium, or swimming sports complex. These items are to be addressed in separate proposition(s), as is mandated by state law, namely Texas Senate Bill 30 (2019).
So now, let us have a look at what each of the bond propositions cost, one by one:
- Proposition A calls for “The issuance of an amount not to exceed $469,557,118” for “a new high school; two new elementary schools facilities, the purchase of necessary sites for school facilities, the purchase of new school buses and the levying of a tax sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds and the cost of any credit agreements executed in connection with the Bonds.”
- Proposition B calls for “The issuance of an amount not to exceed $22,938,470” for “constructing, acquiring, improving and equipping athletic facilities including, but not limited to multi-purpose facilities at the new high school and existing high schools; new turf fields, new seating for softball and baseball, and tennis lighting at both existing high schools.”
- Proposition C calls for “The issuance of an amount not to exceed $24,428,299” for “constructing, acquiring, and equipping of a natatorium to be located on the west side of the school district to serve Magnolia West High School and the new high school.”
While the information above is useful, it is incomplete, as each proposition fails to disclose the interest cost associated with each proposition. For that information, voters will need to examine the district’s Voter Information Document (VID), which provides interested parties with additional detail related to interest costs, tax impact, and existing debt.
For instance, Magnolia ISD’s VID reveals that Proposition A’s stated principal ask ($469,557,118) comes with an additional $458,549,000 in interest costs, potentially totaling $928,106,118.
Proposition B has a similar dynamic. The proposed principal debt amount is $22,938,470 with an expected interest cost of $22,402,250, which combines for $45,340,720.
Likewise, Proposition C’s proposed principal debt is $24,428,299 with interest costs of $23,855,500, which totals $48,283,799.
Thus, the VID reveals that Magnolia ISD’s bond package carries with it significant interest costs that voters may not be fully apprised of. And these larger, newer debts more than double the existing $430.9 million already owed. Therefore, area voters should ask themselves: “Is it the right time for a large amount of new school district debt?”
Come November 4th, we’ll see what voters decide.
