Brownsville ISD hears citizens' facilities report, weighs May bond options to pay for roofs, HVAC and CTE center

Brownsville Independent School District officials reviewed the final report of a citizens facilities committee on Feb. 6 and discussed four options for a possible bond election as soon as May 2025, including a $350 million package that administrators said could be structured to avoid a tax-rate increase.

The presentation by district staff and the facilities committee covered more than 200 high-priority facility assessments, with roofing and HVAC work accounting for the bulk of immediate needs. Staff outlined a set of options: a $350 million package aimed to keep the debt tax rate at about 24 cents per $100 valuation; a version that would add a performing-arts center and raise the rate; a variant that would include a performing-arts facility but keep the package at $350 million by removing other projects; and an administration recommendation to limit a first bond to immediate needs (roughly $200 million to $263 million) so the district could preserve debt capacity and return later for new construction.

The report showed the citizens committees logged roughly 216 items across campuses. Staff said the list of top priorities ' largely HVAC and roofing work by campus ' would total about $288 million through the first set of line items; the committee's full set of assessments, including renovations and device replacement, carried a notional total of roughly $667 million. District staff estimated that one penny on the I&S (interest and sinking) side currently generates about $14.5 million in revenue.

"The district will make all efforts to work towards a new bond with minimal, to no tax rate increase," district presenter Cesar Cespedes told the committee in opening remarks about the finances and timeline. Cespedes explained the district had reduced outstanding bonded debt in recent years and thus demonstrated "debt capacity" that could allow a large bond without increasing the district's debt tax rate if the board and voters approve a package structured that way.

Why the meeting matters

The committee's work and the board's decision could determine which aging school systems are repaired, when campuses get new HVAC and roofs, and whether the district will pursue larger projects such as a career and technical education (CTE) center or a separate performing-arts center. Administration said timing matters because delaying a bond election could lower the district's debt capacity and make it harder to present a similar package later.

Legal and ballot constraints

Presenters and trustees discussed statutory changes adopted in recent years that affect how school bond propositions are drafted and presented to voters. Staff cited Texas Education Code section 45.003 and an Office of the Attorney General letter (December 2019) clarifying that some facilities designated predominantly for performances must be presented as a special-purpose proposition and that ballot language must include the phrase, in capital letters, "THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE," even when the overall tax rate is expected to remain the same. Cespedes noted other legislative proposals under consideration could change voter-approval thresholds for school bonds, which would alter how packages must be structured.

CTE center, performing-arts center and property options

The committee recommended a CTE center as a top priority. The presentation listed an initial placeholder for a CTE center of $25 million (the sale proceeds from the Cummings property are being invested toward that purpose), but Cespedes later cited outside estimates that a new 66,000-square-foot CTE facility could cost roughly $40 million to $45 million.

A proposed performing-arts center (PAC) was listed as a placeholder item at $45 million; staff noted that cost estimates for PACs vary widely depending on seating, finishes and technical needs, with per-square-foot figures discussed in the presentation ranging from about $650 to $1,000. Staff estimated a performing-arts center that seats 900 to 1,200 people would likely require 10 to 12 acres and additional soft costs (commonly 20%–30% of construction costs).

Dr. Norma Cantu, who led an inventory of district properties and possible sites for new construction, said the district owns multiple parcels that could host a CTE or PAC, and presented three sites that met the committee's criteria (including acreage, central location and space for expansion): land behind Ortiz Elementary, a parcel on Morrison Road, and a site near the Sportsplex (Jose Mart' area). "It is not a recommendation. It is only data so that you have information at hand," Dr. Cantu told trustees.

Trustee concerns and public comment

Trustees and the public raised questions about guarantees for taxpayers, how the district would prioritize projects, and whether a PAC sized for 1,000 seats would satisfy community needs such as graduations (some trustees noted BISD graduations draw thousands of attendees). Several trustees said they supported prioritizing roofs and HVAC work.

Trustee Minerva Pena pressed staff on the reasons state policy has made bond passage more difficult for some districts. In the discussion Cespedes answered bluntly when pressed: "I'll just say it with one word and I think that's vouchers." He framed recent legislative activity as a factor districts must monitor.

Teacher and community speakers urged passage of facility repairs. Nancy Beltr'n, vice president of the Texas Valley Educators Association and a kindergarten teacher, said, "Our students and teachers deserve the best," and called for repairs to address leaks, pests and mold. Community member Denise Granado Chavez described inadequate fine-arts rehearsal space at Falk Middle School and said "they need a new choir room."

Next steps and timeline

Administrators reminded trustees of upcoming meetings: a follow-up facilities committee meeting scheduled for Monday, Feb. 10, and a special-called board meeting on Thursday, Feb. 13, where the board may decide whether to call a bond election. Staff said that if the board calls an election and voters approve it, the district would work to hold the I&S tax rate at the level set by the proposition; if the board delays a call, available debt capacity would decline as the amortization schedule continues to lower existing obligations.

What was not decided

No formal motion or vote to call a bond election occurred at the Feb. 6 facilities committee meeting. Trustees asked staff to collect questions for bond counsel and financial advisers and to return with more information Monday so the board can consider whether to call a bond at the Feb. 13 special meeting.

Ending

Trustees and staff emphasized additional public outreach and analysis would follow. Cespedes told the committee he preferred the administration's option to address immediate facility needs first so the district could preserve debt capacity and return later for new construction; several trustees said they wanted time for further public engagement before committing to projects that would change the tax rate.