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FAQs about Projects
1. How were these projects selected?
Aging facilities lead to challenges with safety, efficiency, size, and conditions. The district administration identified the top needs in terms of poor facility conditions and priorities for spaces needed in terms of student growth and programs. The Board of Trustees reviewed potential projects and costs. Focus groups of community members met to give input into designs and priorities, and feedback on potential issues.
While additional needs exist, these have risen to the surface as the most urgent to be addressed now. GISD will continue to review and monitor facilities to address in the future.
FAQs about Bonds & Taxes
NOTE: Gatesville ISD administration and Board of Trustees are considering a bond as a method for funding prioritized construction projects. The district has not yet called for a bond election.
1. What is a bond?
A bond is similar to a home mortgage. It is a contract to repay borrowed money with interest over time. Bonds are sold by a school district to investors to raise funds to pay for the costs of construction, renovations and equipment. Most school districts in Texas utilize bonds to finance renovations and new facilities.
2. How can bond funds be used?
Bond funds can be used to pay for new buildings, additions and renovations to existing facilities, land acquisition, technology infrastructure and equipment for new or existing buildings. Bonds cannot be used for salaries or operating costs such as utility bills, supplies, building maintenance, fuel and insurance. GISD’s plan is to use bonds to fund construction and renovation projects only.
3. What is a bond election?
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 for projects such as renovation to existing buildings or building a new school. Essentially, the voters are giving permission for the District to take out a loan and pay that loan back over an extended period of time, much like a family takes out a mortgage loan for their home. A school board calls a bond election so voters can decide whether or not they want to pay for proposed facility projects.
4. Exactly how much is the proposed bond package?
The Administration is planning improvement projects that would not increase the tax rate, which limits the bond package to $26 million.
5. How will the potential bond election affect my taxes?
There is no planned change to the GISD tax rate as a result of this bond election. The amount you pay could change if your property value increases or decreases, but the school district does not set property values. The appraisal district determines your property value.
6. How do Homestead Exemptions lower taxes?
Homeowners who have filed a homestead exemption with the county can qualify to lower the taxable value of property. By lowering the taxable value of the property, the amount of school taxes you pay will be significantly less.
General Residence Homestead Exemption
Mandatory for all school districts: $140,000 reduction in taxable value (raised from $100,000 in 2025).
Applies if you own and occupy the home as your primary residence as of January 1.
Caps annual appraisal increases at 10%.
You must apply through your county appraisal district (deadline: typically end of April).
Additional Exemptions
Age 65 or Older / Disabled: Extra $60,000 exemption, bringing total school tax exemption to $200,000.
School taxes are frozen at the amount you paid the year you qualified (age 65 or disability).
Veterans & Surviving Spouses
100% disabled veterans may receive a total exemption.
Surviving spouses of veterans killed in action or who died from service-related illness also qualify for special exemptions.
7. What if I am over 65 years old? Will my taxes go up if the bond is successful?
No. If you have applied for and received the Age 65 Freeze on your homestead, by law, your school taxes on your homestead cannot be raised above their frozen level, unless significant improvements have been made to the home. Also, there is no planned change to the GISD tax rate as a result of this potential election.
8. What if I am over 65 years old and receive the “Senior Citizen Exemption” and my home value goes up, will my taxes increase?
The appraised value can change and the tax rate will change, but the amount of school taxes on your homestead cannot increase. Normal repairs, maintenance and the economic impact of the market cannot increase the amount of taxes you will pay once a tax ceiling is in place on that homestead. Therefore, if this bond election is successful, it will not have an impact on the tax bill for homesteads that are receiving the senior citizen exemption, unless you make significant improvements to your home.
9. Who is eligible to vote in a school bond election?
Any registered voter who resides within the Gatesville ISD boundaries.