CFISD long‑range plan outlines roughly $1.75 billion in prioritized capital needs, recommends bond options

Cypress‑Fairbanks Independent School District administrators on Jan. 15 told the board of trustees that the long‑range planning committee has identified nearly $1.75 billion in priority capital needs and outlined options for financing the work, including a potential bond referendum this year.

Anya Lucas, co‑chair of the long range planning committee, said the presentation covered life‑cycle needs across the district and emphasized transportation and facilities. "Transportation Services operates the largest student transportation department in the state," Lucas said, noting the fleet serves more than 65,000 riders on 704 routes traveling about 45,000 miles a day. The committee presented replacement cycles and cost estimates for buses, maintenance vehicles, police cruisers, and facility components.

Administration listed several cost estimates: priority 1 and 2 needs for school buses of a little more than $82,000,000; white‑fleet replacement near $11,000,000; an estimated $2,300,000 to update bus cameras, GPS and student verification systems; priority 1 police‑vehicle replacements of roughly $10,300,000; a radio‑system replacement estimated at $16,000,000; priority 1 athletic facility needs near $80,000,000 and priority 2 near $31,000,000; fine‑arts priority 1 needs near $77,000,000; and portable buildings and TEA security requirements estimated near $25,000,000. Administration said the combined priority 1 and 2 totals are near $1,750,000,000.

Presenters also outlined financing assumptions developed with the district's financial advisor: 4% annual taxable assessed value growth, bond issuance over six years, and a 4.5% interest rate. Those assumptions, administration said, project no increase in the interest & sinking (I&S) tax rate for a $1.2 billion to $2 billion bond referendum, though ballot language mandated by state law will still require the phrase THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE to appear on the ballot.

Board members asked about legislative requirements and implementation costs. Trustee Mr. Ray asked whether Senate Bill 546—which requires 3‑point lap‑shoulder seat belts on school buses by Sept. 1, 2029—also requires retrofits. Administration replied that the law requires seat belts but there was no dedicated state funding and retrofits depend on manufacturer certification. Matt Morgan said some buses can be retrofitted at about $35,000 each, but many older buses may not be certifiable and retrofitting yields only limited additional useful life.

Trustees also pressed on how district proceeds from auctioned surplus vehicles are applied. Administration said proceeds from sold vehicles typically return to the maintenance and operations (M&O) fund or, depending on bond accounting, to bond funds when the asset was financed by bonds.

On technology, trustees noted a proposed $85,000,000 line item for Chromebooks. Administration said that total reflects approximately one device per student, a 10% spare allowance, accessories, five‑year warranties and negotiated bulk discounts through Lenovo.

The committee presentation concluded with reminders of bond‑call deadlines: Feb. 13, 2026 to place a question on the May 2 uniform election date, and Aug. 17, 2026 for the Nov. 3 uniform election date. The administration said more detailed slides and backup documents from the committee meeting are posted on the district website for public review.

Next steps: administration and the committee will continue refining priorities and financing scenarios ahead of the district's budget work and any decision to call a bond election.