Frequently Asked Questions

• What is a bond election?
• Why is the district having a bond election?
• If the bond election passes, how will the bond proceeds be spent?
• When is the bond election, and where do I vote?
• When does early voting take place?
• If the bond election passes, how long will the money last?
• When was the last bond election, and how much was it?
• Was the money spent according to the district's plans at the time?
• How will the bond election affect my taxes if it passes?
• I'm over 65 years old. Will the bond election affect my taxes?
• Does the district have to share bond tax revenues with other districts and the state through the Robin Hood finance plan?
• What items do I need to vote?
• I’m not registered to vote in Harris County. How do I register?
• What will happen if the bond election does not pass?

What is a bond election?

A bond election is similar to a popular election in that voters have an opportunity to express their view on a particular issue. Unlike a regular election, in which a voter expresses his or her support for a candidate, a bond election requires the voter to express support for or against the district selling school bonds. If the bond election is approved by voters, the district sells the bonds and uses the bond proceeds to pay for special projects or expenses. The law restricts how a district can spend bond revenues. Bond revenues can only be used for capital equipment or improvements such as new construction, renovation projects, furniture, library books, computers and network technology, school buses or other vehicles, and similar items. Bond proceeds cannot be used for recurring costs such as teacher salaries and benefits, utilities, or insurance.

Why is the district having a bond election?

There are two general reasons districts have bond elections: enrollment growth and aging facilities and equipment. There are several new residential developments planned in the near future for our district, and these new homes are expected to result in many new students. Also, just as a person’s home or vehicle requires maintenance or a tune-up, the district’s facilities and equipment need to be renovated, updated, or replaced. These projects can range from buying new library books to replacing the roof on a school because the current one is old and leaking. Similarly, equipment wears out over time or becomes outdated and must be replaced.

If the bond election passes, how will the bond proceeds be spent?

The district has conducted an extensive study to determine its needs over the next five years. These needs have been divided into four major categories:

Instruction: $26.7 million
Safety/Security: $6.3 million
Support Services: $19.1 million
Facilities: $57.9 million
TOTAL: $110 million

For a more detailed listing of how bond funds would be spent, you can download a bond election brochure from the district’s website at www.dpisd.org/~2005bonds or call 832-668-7030 for a printed copy of the brochure.

When is the bond election, and where do I vote?

The election takes place Saturday, Nov. 5, from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Registered voters in the district should vote at the appropriate precinct polling place listed below. If you are unsure of the precinct in which you live, call the district business office at 832-668-7011.

Precinct No. 1
Deer Park High School
402 Ivy Avenue in Deer Park

Precinct No. 2
Carpenter Elem. School
5002 Pasadena Blvd. in Deer Park

Precinct No. 3
Deepwater Elem. School
309 Glenmore Drive in Pasadena

Precinct No. 4
San Jacinto Christian Academy
306 South Kilgore in Lynchburg

Precinct No. 5
Deer Park Elem. School
2920 Luella in Deer Park

Precinct No. 6
Fairmont Elem. School
4315 Heathfield in Pasadena

When does early voting take place?

Early balloting begins on Oct. 19 at 8 a.m. and concludes on Nov. 1 at 4:30 p.m. The hours for early voting in person are 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday except on an official state holiday. Early voting takes place at the Deer Park Independent School District Administration Building. Requests for a ballot by mail should be directed in writing to Early Voting Clerk, Donna Muckleroy, Deer Park Independent School District, 203 Ivy Avenue, Deer Park, Texas 77536, ATTENTION: EARLY VOTING, or call (832) 668-7000 for an application form for an early voting ballot.

The district will make early voting even easier this year with Satellite Voting. Registered voters who wish to vote early can do so at one of the early voting stations at the following locations:

Monday, Oct. 24; 5-10 p.m.
Deer Park High School-South Campus
(Technology Fair and Fall Choir Concert)

Friday, Oct. 28; 5-10 p.m.
Clyde Abshier Stadium
(Deer vs. Pasadena Memorial football game)

If the bond election passes, how long will the money last?

This year’s bond election will pay for capital projects over the next five to seven years.

When was the last bond election, and how much was it?

The last Deer Park ISD bond election was held in 1998. It was for $89 million.

Was the money spent according to the district’s plans at the time?

Yes. Recent or upcoming projects involving renovations at Dabbs Elementary and Parkwood Elementary are among the final projects funded through the 1998 bond election.

How will the bond election affect my taxes if it passes?

Because of careful planning and strong financial management, the bond election will have a minimal impact on homeowners. The district will repay the bonds over a 10-year period. During that period, the average yearly tax increase for a home in Deer Park ISD would be:

Appraised Value Taxable Value	(after Homestead)	Avg. Annual Tax Increase
$75,000	$45,000	$5.65
$120,000	$81,000	$10.17
$150,000	$105,000	$13.19

I’m over 65 years old. Will the bond election affect my taxes?

If you have filed the appropriate paperwork with the Harris County Appraisal District, the amount of taxes you pay is frozen. Thus, if the bond election is approved, it will not increase taxes for people who have filed a 65 and over exemption.

Does the district have to share bond tax revenues with other districts and the state through the Robin Hood finance plan?

Absolutely not. There are two parts to our district tax rate: the part that pays for the everyday operation of the school district (the maintenance and operations rate) and the part that pays back district bonds (the interest and sinking rate). While the Robin Hood plan requires districts like Deer Park to share M&O taxes, 100 percent of every dollar of bond money stays in DPISD.

What items do I need to vote?

Voting is easier than ever before. Registered voters must bring proof of residency in Deer Park ISD. Proof of residency includes a Voter Registration Card, a Texas Driver’s License, a utility bill (water, electricity, or gas), a mortgage statement, or similar item that includes an in-district address and the name of the registered voter. I’m not registered to vote in Harris County.

How do I register?

If you would like to register to vote, please call 713-368-VOTE (8683) or go to www.tax.co.harris.tx.us/voter/voterapp/acquirevoterapp.asp on the Internet. On the website, you can download a registration card in English or Spanish and find other information.

What will happen if the bond election does not pass?

Students will continue to receive the best education the district can
provide. However, the district will not be able to pay for large
renovations to existing facilities and the remaining bond election projects would be canceled, severely reduced, or funded by regular maintenance and operations taxes, which are shared with other districts under the Robin Hood plan.