On August 18th, 2025, Bryan Independent School District (BISD) ordered a bond election to be held on November 5th, 2025, which will leave up to the residents three distinct measures. Those propositions will ask voters to consider the following:
- Proposition A: “THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE. The issuance of $325,515,000 of bonds by the Bryan Independent School District for school facilities, the purchase of necessary sites for school facilities, buses and vehicles and the imposition of a tax sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds and the cost of any credit agreements.”
- Proposition B: “THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE. The issuance of $67,425,000 of bonds by the Bryan Independent School District for renovating, improving and equipping existing district and campus stadium facilities and the imposition of a tax sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds and the cost of any credit agreements.”
- Proposition C: “THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE. The issuance of $4,060,000 of bonds by the Bryan Independent School District for instructional technology equipment and technology infrastructure and the imposition of a tax sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds and the cost of any agreements.”
While the ballot language above provides voters with a sense of the nature and cost of the proposals, it is also lacking in some regard. For example, Proposition A’s stated cost—i.e., $325,515,000—only conveys the principal amount to be borrowed. It does not provide the estimated interest costs nor the full repayment amount.
To obtain this information, an interested party must examine BISD’s Voter Information Document (VID), which can be found in Exhibit C of the bond election order. Using the VID, a more complete picture becomes available. For example:
- Proposition A proposes $325,515,000 in new principal debt, it anticipates interest costs of $258,991,031, and it will require $584,506,031 to fully repay the debt.
- Proposition B proposes $67,425,000 in new principal debt, it anticipates interest costs of $53,649,094, and it will require $121,074,094 to fully repay the debt.
- Proposition C proposes $4,060,000 in new principal debt, it anticipates interest costs of $555,450, and it will require $4,615,450 to fully repay the debt.
In addition, the VID also illuminates the district’s existing debt profile, noting that its local debt service outstanding (i.e., principal and interest combined) totals $312,566,193.
Oddly, for each proposition, BISD suggests that there will be no tax impact resulting from the approval of these measures.
Final thoughts
It is important for BISD residents to be aware of the VIDs, but also their total possible cost and impact. With this fuller perspective, voters will be better positioned to make an informed decision in the upcoming election cycle.
