Local NewsTaxes & SpendingHumble ISD Board Sets $775 Million Bond Election to Fund Technology Purchases, Renovations

The $775 million proposal is spread across two separate propositions:

• Proposition A: $730 million construction and renovation of facilities and the purchase of various equipment
• Proposition B: $45 million to purchase new technology devices for staff and students

The district says passage of the bonds will not yield a tax rate increase, remaining steady at $1.3389 per $100 of taxable value.

Due to property value increases, the rate will bring in about $47 million more in collections with the bond passage.

The average homeowner in the area would see their 2022 tax bill increase by $428, a smaller portion of which would be directly tied to the propositions’ passage. 

The district did not clarify how much the tax rate would decrease should the propositions fail.

That increase is even with the potential state homestead exemption increase from $25,000 to $40,000 should Texas voters approve it.

Like many other suburban districts, Humble ISD is preparing for projected population growth over the next decade. In the last few years, the district has seen a 1,000-student per year increase but this year that increase was 2,500 students, according to an official with the district.

The total district enrollment as of February 1, 2022, is 48,159.

Because of downward pressure on prices during the initial brunt of the pandemic, the district was able to build a school within its 2018 bond package that it would otherwise have had to include in this year’s bond.

But now, the opposite environment exists, one marked by high inflation and supply chain woes.

The full list from the district of items within Proposition A is below:

• “A new Mosaic Program building, which would serve students with disabilities ages 18-22, and Educational Support Services offices;
• Phases 2 and 3 of Humble High School’s planned additions and renovations;
• A Summer Creek High School classroom addition;
• Fine arts additions and renovations at high schools and middle schools;
• Career and technical education classroom and lab renovations at high schools and middle schools;
• Turf at high school baseball and softball fields;
• Replacement campuses for Sterling Middle School and Foster Elementary School;
• The construction of Middle School No. 11;
• A Summerwood Elementary School classroom addition;
• Practice gyms at Atascocita, Creekwood, Humble, Riverwood, and Timberwood middle schools;
• Dance classrooms and changing rooms at all middle schools;
• New outdoor play and fitness equipment throughout the district;
• The addition of daylighting through windows or skylights at elementary and middle schools;
• A child nutrition work area renovation;
• Building maintenance items such as HVAC units, roofs, lighting, flooring and paint.”

Early voting for the election begins on April 24 for the May 7 election day.