Voters To Consider 2 Propositions On May 1 Cumby ISD Bond Election Ballot

Early voting begins this week in the Cumby ISD bond election. Voters are asked to consider two bond propositions, one for facilities improvements and construction of a new high school, and a second, contingent on the first, for athletic facilities.

Voters within Cumby ISD may cast their choice either for or against both Proposition A and Proposition B from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, April 19-23 and April 26-27, and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 1, 2021, at Cumby ISD Administration Building, 301 Donelton Street, Cumby, Texas 75433.

Applications for ballots by mail for the May 1 Cumby ISD bond election via post or electronic submission must be received no later than 5 p.m. on April 20, 2021, mail to: Cindy Mannon, Early Voting Clerk at Cumby ISD Administration Building, 301 Donelton Street, Cumby, Texas 75433; or emailed to [email protected].

Proposition A

Proposition A asks voters to consider approving:

“THE ISSUANCE OF $7,340,000 OF BONDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, ACQUISITION, RENOVATION, AND EQUIPMENT OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS IN THE DISTRICT, INCLUDING CONSTRUCTION AND EQUIPMENT OF A NEW HIGH SCHOOL, NEW CLASSROOMS AND LAB FACILITIES, RENOVATIONS TO EXISTING FACILITIES, AND SECURITY UPGRADES; AND THE LEVYING OF A TAX SUFFICIENT, WITHOUT LIMIT AS TO RATE OR AMOUNT, TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON THE BONDS AND TO PAY THE COSTS OF ANY CREDIT AGREEMENTS EXECUTED OR AUTHORIZED IN ANTICIPATION OF, IN RELATION TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE BONDS; THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.”

The $7,341,000 bond proposed in Proposition A would include $660,800 in improvements at the Elementary School, including the addition of a secure entry, a new secure playground, address concerns with drainage, add sidewalks and canopies, enlarge and renovate the cafeteria. Another $224,000 is designated to convert the current junior high/high school facility into an intermediate campus, including interior renovations and eating space. Most of the bond funding would go toward construction of a new high school building. The $5,280,800 in addition to classrooms would also include labs and career and technical education (CTE) facilities, driveways and parking. A new metal ag shop to better meet the growing needs of students would also be constructed at a budgeted cost of $1,097,600. Another $78,400 would go toward additional renovations.

Proposition B

Proposition B, which is contingent on Proposition A passing, and asks voters to consider approving an additional $600,000 in bond funding, to construct a track

Proposition B reads as follows:

“THE ISSUANCE OF $600,000 OF BONDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, RENOVATION, AND IMPROVEMENT OF ATHLETIC FACILITIES IN THE DISTRICT, INCLUDING CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW TRACK; AND THE LEVYING
OF A TAX SUFFICIENT, WITHOUT LIMIT AS TO RATE OR AMOUNT, TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON THE BONDS AND TO PAY THE COSTS OF ANY CREDIT AGREEMENTS EXECUTED OR AUTHORIZED IN ANTICIPATION OF, IN RELATION TO, OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE BONDS; THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS UNDER THIS PROPOSITION “B” SHALL BE CONTINGENT UPON THE APPROVAL AND PASSING OF PROPOSITION “A”; THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.”

How This Will Impact Taxes

If passed, the bond proposals will raise taxes to either $1.45 if only Proposition A is approved by voters or $1.47, if both proposals are approved.

In other words, a that costs $100,000, would increase the CISD tax to $19.38 monthly or $232.50 annually with the $1.45 tax rate; or $20.63 monthly or $247.50 annually with the $1.47.  Cumby ISD’s current tax rate is $1.14.  Therefore, taxes would increase either 31 cents or 33 cents depending on the projects chosen.  The amount of the proposed bond program will be between $7,341,000 and $7,941,000.  

Cumby ISD property taxes for citizens age 65 or older will not be affected by the bond election as long as a homestead and over 65 exemption application have been filed with the local appraisal district.

According to State law, the dollar amount of school taxes imposed on the residence homestead of a person 65 years of age or older cannot be increased above the amount paid in the first year after the person turned 65 – regardless of changes in tax rate or property value – unless significant improvements are made to the home.

What Happens If The Bonds Do Not Pass?

Cumby ISD will continue to take care of student and program needs with the current facilities. Preventative maintenance plans are in place to help extend the life of Cumby ISD buildings and facilities. The district will also continue efforts to ensure the safety and security of our students, faculty and staff.  Projects will be prioritized for these things and completed when possible based on funds.  As the district grows, if no classrooms are available, more portables will be considered.  Currently, the Elementary is over capacity, with students in portables, and High School enrollment is increasing annually, but does have room left for some growth.  As student enrollment continues to increase by 25 students this year and 7-11 students each year over the past two years, Cumby ISD will begin the process of purchasing and replacing some portable buildings if the bond proposal does not pass. Also, some classes will have an increase in student to teacher ratio, and could go from 18:1 to 24 or more:1. 

For More Information

Visit the Cumby ISD website (cumbyisd.net), or call the Administration Office at (903) 994-4800, for specific voting information and details.

Stay turned to KSST Radio 1230 AM and KRVA 107.1 FM radio, which can be heard on air, streamed on KSSTRadio.com or the Simply Sulphur Springs app; and posted to the KSST Youtube channel this week. Cumby ISD Superintendent Shelly Slaughter and School Board Vice President Marsha Krotky are scheduled to talk with KSST about the Cumby ISD bond election and projects it would fund.