Spring Branch ISD Featured News

The seven-member Spring Branch ISD (SBISD) Board of Trustees voted on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, to call a $631.5 million bond election to appear on the May 3, 2025 ballot.

The Board is asking voters to consider four separate propositions as follows:

• Proposition A, if approved, would provide much needed improvements to aging athletics facilities and infrastructure at the district’s four comprehensive high schools. (Memorial High School, Northbrook High School, Spring Woods High School, Stratford High School)
• 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.
• Proposition C, if approved, would provide for the relocation and rebuilding of the 50-year-old W.W. Emmons Natatorium, the district’s competition pool, which was built in 1975. If approved, the new facility 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 for major renovations and rebuilding of the 73-year-old Reggie Grob Stadium, the district’s oldest athletics facility, built in 1952.

This action comes after months of research, planning and conversations by the Board of Trustees. A comprehensive assessment of targeted facilities was conducted by architects, engineers and other facility experts at PBK and PBK Sports in coordination with district operations staff as well as central and campus-based athletics and performing arts staff.

An Athletics and Arts Stakeholder Committee comprised of students, parents, partners and district staff provided input and feedback as trustees considered options to best address the needs associated with these aging facilities. 

Spring Branch ISD (SBISD) has a long history of excellence in Athletics and Performing Arts programming, participation and success. Taking part in athletics and in performing arts programming that occurs at athletics facilities (ex. marching band, drill team, flag corps as well as cheer) directly supports students’ development of the Core Characteristics of a T-2-4 Ready Graduate.

Approximately 7,600 secondary students participated in one or more athletic activities during the 2023-24 school year. Nearly 750 students currently participate in high school marching band, drill teams, and cheer. Approximately one thousand elementary and middle school students participate in the district’s Advanced Movers program, and thousands more participate in area youth sports programming with SBISD partners. 

“The facilities addressed in this bond package are places our community comes together to watch our students and showcase their talents,” said Lisa Andrews Alpe, SBISD Board President.

Alpe also stated, “The central athletic facilities are more than 50 years old. They are now woefully out of date and inadequate to accommodate the district’s athletics and performance events and competitions for the future.”

SBISD’s interest and sinking tax rate of .3045 cents has not increased since 2010. SBISD’s current total tax rate represents the lowest district tax rate since 1987.

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. A property owner’s tax burden (total tax paid) may change based on the appraised value of their property.

SBISD offers every tax break allowed by law including the full 20 percent local optional homestead exemption and has the second lowest tax rate of Houston area districts. The annual school tax bill on a home valued at $500,000 is currently $3,229 in SBISD, compared to $3,261 in Cy Fair ISD, $4,428 in Spring ISD, and $4,468 in Katy ISD.

By state law, there would be no tax increase for senior citizens 65 or over as a result of this bond election. The school tax rate and the amount paid are frozen when a taxpayer turns 65 years old.

“For nearly 80 years, our community has generously supported our students and our district,” said SBISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jennifer Blaine. “Given the current state of public school funding and the increasingly competitive landscape for public school districts like SBISD, reinvesting in our facilities is more critical than ever. This bond package, if approved, will enable us to be as competitive on the field and on the court as we are in the classroom.” 

Visit www.springbranchisd.com/2025Bond for more details about the proposed bond plan and upcoming community meetings.

Questions? Email bond@springbranchisd.com

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