San Felipe-Del Rio CISD calls $50 million bond election for Nov. 4, 2025

The San Felipe-Del Rio Consolidated Independent School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously Aug. 11 to approve an order calling a $50 million bond election for Nov. 4, 2025, district advisors said.

District administrators and outside advisors told trustees the package would fund a new Del Rio Freshman Center, a replacement Roberto “Bobby” Barrera Elementary STEM magnet campus, a new tech center and gym expansion at San Felipe Memorial Middle School, and classroom and cafeteria renovations at Buenavista Elementary.

The board heard a detailed financial presentation from David Gonzalez of PFM Financial Advisors and legal guidance from bond counsel Dan Martinez of Winstead PC. Gonzalez said the district s debt schedule and projected principal retirements would allow the district to layer approximately $50 million of new bonds onto its existing debt service while maintaining the district maintenance-and-operations tax rate the presentation identified at about 18.77 cents per $100 of appraised value. Gonzalez also noted recent Federal Reserve commentary suggesting possible rate cuts later in the year, which could affect interest costs.

Martinez told trustees that state law now requires ballot language that includes a reference to a "property tax increase" even when the district is not proposing a tax-rate increase, and that the legislature has moved that language to a prominent spot on the proposition. "There is not a tax rate increase, but that language is required," Martinez said, warning the board that the positioning of the statement can confuse voters.

Trustees asked for and discussed outreach plans to explain the distinction to voters, including pamphlets, website materials and community meetings. Board members also asked how the recent increase in the homestead exemption and updated appraisals affected the package; Gonzalez said the district reduced its original plan from $60 million to $50 million after updated appraisal numbers to preserve the modeled tax-rate outcome.

The district order approved by the board directs staff and counsel to proceed with the election process and authorizes coordination with county election officials to hold the election on Nov. 4, 2025; the board was told the formal canvass would occur about 30 days after the election.

The board took the action by voice vote; the motion carried unanimously.

What happens next: If the board proceeds with the timeline presented, district staff and bond counsel will perform election logistics and an outreach campaign leading up to the Nov. 4 vote.