- Kennedale ISD
- FAQ's
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Did Kennedale ISD solicit the input of local citizens before developing the bond package?
Yes. As part of Kennedale ISD’s ongoing management of finances, facilities and long-range planning efforts, a Long-Range Facility Planning Committee was formed and met in early 2023 to develop and recommend a long-term capital program. The committee developed comprehensive bond recommendations to reflect the wishes of the KISD community and its taxpayers and presented their report to the Board of Trustees for its consideration.
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How can bond funds be used?
Bond funds can be used to pay for new buildings, additions and renovations to existing facilities, land acquisition, technological infrastructure, and equipment for new or existing buildings. By law, bond funds cannot be used for district operating and maintenance expenses, such as teacher salaries, utility bills, and routine building maintenance.
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How do bonds impact the tax rate?
A district's property tax rate consists of a maintenance and operations (M&O) tax rate and an interest and sinking (I&S) tax rate. The M&O tax rate funds maintenance and operations like salaries and utilities. The I&S tax rate, sometimes called the debt service tax rate, provides funds for payments on the debt that finances a district's facilities like bonds. The I&S tax rate is set at a rate that allows the district to pay the principal and interest payments due each year.
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Was every facility in the school district reviewed during the Long-Range Facility Planning process?
Yes. With the goal of making sure we impact every student in every school, the Long-Range Facility Planning Committee considered the needs of every school and facility in the district.
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What is a bond, and why do I have to vote on it?
Just as homeowners borrow money in the form of a mortgage to finance the purchase of a home, a school district borrows money in the form of bonds to finance the construction of new schools and other capital projects. Both are repaid over time. A school district is required by law to seek approval from voters in the form of a bond election in order to issue bonds.
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What was the final vote by the Board of Trustees?
On February 7, 2023, the Kennedale ISD Board of Trustees unanimously voted to place a bond referendum including five propositions on the May 6, 2023 ballot.
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What will be the impact on senior citizens in the district?
Kennedale ISD taxes are frozen for homeowners 65 or older who have properly filed with the Tarrant County Tax Office. Therefore, approval of this bond would not result in an increase above the frozen amount.
