Manor ISD superintendent recommends November 2026 bond as costs rise; trustees press for staff outreach
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Summary
Superintendent told trustees that inflation and deferred maintenance have increased project costs and recommended a November 2026 bond; trustees discussed staff turnout in the failed bond election and the need for focused communications and a staff focus group.
Superintendent Dr. Sarmani told the Manor ISD board on Feb. 23 that the district's needs have not gone away after a bond failed last November and that inflation in construction (presented around 4%) has increased projected costs, arguing the district should consider calling a bond election in November 2026 to address safety and infrastructure needs.
"Just because a bond fails doesn't mean all the needs went away," he said, adding that delays make projects more expensive. In a cited example, he contrasted a multi-million repair (as presented during the slide) with a later point when full replacement could cost about $60,000,000 for Bluebonnet Elementary School if systems fail.
The superintendent said the district has already completed recommended safety upgrades that did not require bond funding and deployed a next-generation weapons detection system at Manor High School and Manor New Tech High School; remaining work that requires bond funding remains outstanding.
Trustees pressed administration on turnout from staff in the last bond vote. The superintendent noted data indicating only about 10% of eligible staff voted in that election and said he plans an employee focus group to better understand barriers to staff participation in future votes. "We have a focus group coming up, with employees on it, so we can get some more understanding," he said.
Trustee Patterson, who said he was disappointed the bonds failed, emphasized that most of the bond was infrastructure and noted that technology and facilities needs directly affect classroom instruction. Trustees did not take a formal vote on calling an election at the meeting; the superintendent said the formal deadline to call an election would be in August and his standing recommendation was to pursue November 2026.
Administration said financial advisors will be engaged to assess whether taxes would need to rise; the superintendent cautioned the district might need to consider a small tax increase due to inflation-driven cost increases but said that had not yet been determined.
Next steps identified at the meeting: targeted communications and a staff focus group to determine why staff participation was low; continued cost refinement for bond projects and a future board discussion before the August call deadline.