The Board is asking voters to consider one proposition (Proposition A) that, if approved, would provide funds to significantly upgrade aging athletics facilities at Memorial, Northbrook, Spring Woods and Stratford high schools.

These facilities are utilized for whole-school events in addition to serving as competition and/or practice venues for athletics, performing arts, and cheer. 

INTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS:

Based on the specific needs of each campus, funds would address:

• gym renovations (and reconstruction where needed to ensure all high schools have at least one 94' competition-sized gym in alignment with UIL standards)
• new sound systems, digital video boards and interior lighting upgrades
• renovations and improvements to locker rooms, weight rooms, storage spaces and athletics offices.

EXTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS:

Based on the specific needs of each campus, funds would address:

• conversion of baseball and softball fields to synthetic turf (including batting cages, dugouts, fencing, netting and pole systems)
• conversion of synthetic turf of one practice field to allow access to two synthetic turf fields per campus
• replacement or upgrades to stands, press boxes, support buildings, concessions, and restrooms
• additional tennis courts where need so each campus has eight tennis courts
• new LED sports lighting, scoreboards, sound systems and digital video boards. 

Take a look at the proposed work by high school:

• Memorial High School Information Sheet (.pdf)
• Northbrook High School Information Sheet (.pdf)
• Spring Woods High School Information Sheet (.pdf)
• Stratford High School Information Sheet (.pdf)

Proposition B, if approved, would provide for major renovations and additions to the 59-year-old Darrell Tully Stadium and the 51-year-old Don Coleman Coliseum.

If approved, Darrell Tully Stadium (Tully) would receive major renovations and additions. Tully was originally built in 1966 and is the site for varsity football, high school and middle school soccer, and high school club lacrosse and rugby. The  facility would be downsized to seat 10,000 (from the current 14,500) and would provide:

• new home and visitor side stadium buildings, including new restrooms and concessions;
• upgraded sports lighting and audio/visual systems and a new digital video board;
• a designated band plaza and access ramps for band, drill teams and cheerleaders;
• a new elevator tower, a new press box, and a central ticketing checkpoint for home and visitor sides.

At the 51-year-old Don Coleman Coliseum (DCC) improvements would be made to address safety and security with new secure entry vestibules, new concession and restroom upgrades, replacement of the roof, and additional meeting space. 

Proposition C, if approved, would provide funds to rebuild and relocate the 50-year old W.W. Emmons Natatorium (The Natatorium), the district's only competition pool. 

This pool facility, built in 1974, is outdated and too small to accommodate the full range of high school practice and competition needs of the district's competitive swimming, diving and water polo teams and instructional swimming for the district's elementary and middle school students.

The Natatorium would be rebuilt north of Darrell Tully Stadium on the grounds of the district’s athletics complex at 1050 Dairy Ashford, 77079.

Proposition D, if approved, would provide major renovations and rebuilding of Reggie Grob Stadium (Grob), the district's oldest athletics facility, built in 1952.

• The 73-year-old stadium currently accommodates 4,000 spectators. Improvements would increase seating capacity to 5,500, thereby expanding the types of sporting events and competitions, including varsity football, that could occur at the facility. 
• Grob is currently used for middle school football and soccer, as well as high school club lacrosse. 
• The facility is also used by our community and community partners.

• Two tax rates paid by Spring Branch ISD property owners comprise the local share of district funds.
• The district’s Maintenance and Operations (M&O) Tax Rate for the 2024 tax year ($0.7719) pays for day-to-day operational expenses such as salaries, employee benefits, supplies, transportation, fuel, insurance, general maintenance and utilities. No bond money will be used to cover these operating costs.
• The Interest and Sinking (I&S) Tax Rate for the 2024 tax year ($0.3045) is based on the outstanding debt of the district. Debt is incurred when a district borrows money in the form of bonds.
• SBISD’s tax rate for the 2024 tax year of $1.0764 per $100 of assessed valuation represents the lowest district tax rate since 1987. 

• SBISD’s total tax rate for the 2024 tax year, is $1.0764 per $100 of assessed valuation ($0.7719 M&O +$0.3045 I&S) and represents the lowest district tax rate since 1987. 

• Spring Branch ISD homeowners pay the second lowest school taxes in the Houston area. SBISD is one of the few districts that offers every exemption allowed by law, including the full 20 percent local homestead exemption.

• Spring Branch ISD property owners will continue to pay school property taxes that include both a maintenance and operations (M&O) portion and an interest and sinking (I&S), or debt service portion. The tax year 2024 I&S portion of your total tax rate is $0.3045 per $100 of assessed valuation.
• Assuming all propositions pass, the maximum anticipated tax rate increase would be .0475 cents per $100 of valuation, based on a conservative estimate of taxable property value growth.
• For a $500,000 home, the estimated annual additional tax burden would be $142.50 for a $500,000 home. 
• A property owner's tax burden (total tax paid) may change based on the appraised value of their property.

• The Bond issue will not affect the tax bill or the amount of taxes paid for anyone disabled or 65 or older with a homestead exemption.

• Not one cent. All funds for school sites and construction must come from the sale of bonds approved by residents of the district.

• Bonds will be sold through negotiated sales and in installments as funds are needed.
• We expect all bonds will be sold within five years.

• Not one penny. Bond funds are not subject to recapture, now known as local revenue in excess of entitlement. All bond funds approved by district voters will remain in SBISD to directly benefit our children.

Here is the formula: 

FORMULA*
$500,000 x .8 = $400,000 (Accounts for the 20 percent local optional homestead exemption)
- $100,000 (Reduction to account for the state $100,000 homestead exemption)
= $300,000 (Divided by 100 to account for the valuation per $100 of valuation)
X 0.0475 (Anticipated maximum tax rate increase per hundred dollars of valuation)
= $142.50 (Total anticipated maximum tax rate increase)

*Based on current law as of January 1, 2025.

SBISD Board of Trustees Calls for May 3 Bond Election