The Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD (CFB ISD) presented proposals on Oct. 2 to reallocate roughly $131 million in bond funds freed after the district consolidated four campuses in spring 2025.

The bond oversight committee (BOC) and district staff said the money could support expanded prekindergarten capacity, renovations at Bush and Polk middle schools, security and districtwide construction contingencies. Catherine Carlin, co-chair of the BOC, and district staff summarized committee meetings and a community survey that informed the proposal.

Why it matters: the funds were originally budgeted as part of the May 2023 bond election for four campuses that were later consolidated. The district says reallocating those funds can still honor voter intent by investing in pre-K access, middle school upgrades and remaining bond priorities.

The nut graf: After the consolidation freed $131 million, the BOC and staff presented three broad options — a mix of elementary and middle school projects, continued emphasis on pre-K, and security/storm shelter work. The BOC favored decentralized pre-K additions at existing elementary campuses rather than a single centralized pre-K campus, and recommended renovations at Bush and Polk middle schools to bring them more in line with other recently renovated middle schools.

Staff overview and timeline
District staff framed the reallocation as an informational item scheduled for a formal vote in November. Chris Moore, assistant superintendent (presenting the item), explained the timeline: bond election May 2023, campus consolidation in March 2025, bond sale in June, BOC review in July and a community survey in August. Staff said they are aiming to be deliberate, solicit public input and preserve some funds for contingencies.

BOC preference and rationale
Catherine Carlin, co-chair of the BOC, said the committee met quarterly and moved from an update-focused role to a more active advisory role this year. The committee reviewed options for early childhood (three models: centralized campus, decentralized additions, or a hybrid) and reported “overwhelming consent” for the decentralized model originally recommended by the Citizens Planning Committee. The BOC also supported conservative scope increases at Bush and Polk middle schools and urged restraint in allocating all freed funds at once.

Community survey
The district hired an independent research firm to survey residents Aug. 5–8; staff reported 400 completed responses with a margin of error of about ±4.9 percentage points. Moore told the board that awareness of specific bond allocations was limited (24% aware that $131 million was tied to the four consolidated campuses) but that substantive support for proposed directions increased after respondents were given more information. Initial support and informed support both favored using a portion of the funds for pre-K expansion and middle school improvements; staff said support for pre-K rose from 67% initial to 76% when respondents were given more context.

Pre-K, middle-school and contingency recommendations
Staff presented a recommendation that would prioritize: (1) renovations at Bush and Polk middle schools, (2) pre-K additions at existing elementary campuses (district staff identified Thompson and Las Colinas as priority sites), and (3) a reserve for districtwide contingencies and unpredictable construction costs. As presented to the board, staff proposed allocating roughly $48 million for Bush and Polk renovations and $38 million for pre-K additions at Thompson and Las Colinas, leaving approximately $44 million unassigned for contingencies and further planning. Staff emphasized these figures are a recommendation to bring back for formal action in November.

Board and BOC next steps
Moore and Corey Blackburn (executive officer of construction) said the recommendation will return in November for action, after further refinement with the bond facilities and oversight committees. The BOC endorsed continuing quarterly meetings, recording consensus decisions in minutes, and implementing an attendance plan to keep the committee functional.

What the board did tonight
The Oct. 2 presentation was information only; no binding vote was taken on reallocation that night. Staff requested feedback and signaled a formal reallocation request would appear on the November agenda.

Ending
District leaders told trustees they will continue working with the BOC and community to refine project scope, budgets and timelines and to ensure any reallocation aligns with voter intent and the district’s strategic priorities.