Arlington ISD outlines roughly $500 million Bond 2026 package; passage would add about 1 cent to tax rate

Michael Hill, the Arlington ISD chief operations officer, presented the district's Bond 2026 proposal and said the three-proposition package—roughly $438 million for facilities and buses (Proposition A), about $30.9 million for technology (Proposition B) and roughly $31.5 million for athletic facilities (Proposition C)—would fund school replacements, modernization projects, 45 new buses, device replacement and new athletic turf.

Hill said the package was developed by a 40-member Capital Needs Steering Committee that reviewed data and facility assessments and recommended projects to the board. "Arlington ISD creates exceptional learning experiences that inspire all students, empower their dreams, and prepare them for the future," Hill said as he framed the bond around district priorities including academic growth, safety, engagement and staff support.

The district described how bonds differ from day-to-day maintenance spending: maintenance and operations (M&O) pays salaries and routine upkeep, while interest and sinking (I&S) is the debt-service fund that requires voter approval for one-time capital investments. Hill showed a long-term decline in the district tax rate and said the district projects that passage of the full package would mean about a 1-cent increase in 2026–27. On the Tarrant Appraisal District's average home value (described as just under $300,000), Hill gave an example: a 1-cent increase would equal about $1.50 per month, or about $18 per year; residents 65 and older remain eligible for the statutory tax-freeze benefit.

Proposition A: facilities and buses. Hill said Prop A includes the replacement of South Davis Elementary School, which a third-party Facility Condition Index found to be past its useful life and more expensive to upgrade than to rebuild. The proposition also funds one additional elementary school; Hill said the site has not been selected because the district is awaiting a demographer report and a decision on whether to move sixth grade into junior high (a change that could alter where capacity is needed). Prop A also covers districtwide modernization, an 18+ program, security and safety upgrades, and 45 new school buses.

Proposition B: technology. Hill said Prop B (about $30.9 million) would replace student and staff devices and upgrade infrastructure; the presentation noted devices typically have an expected useful life of roughly five years.

Proposition C: athletics and turf. Prop C (about $31.5 million) would install synthetic turf at baseball and softball fields at six high schools, replace aging multi-purpose-activity-center flooring installed in the 2014 bond, and provide athletic-equipment storage to protect gear from the elements. In response to an audience question, Hill said installing turf would reduce recurring maintenance costs currently paid from the M&O budget (mowing, irrigation and fertilizing), freeing staff time and funds for classroom needs.

Fiscal context. Hill said the district has realized approximately $119 million in avoided interest costs through aggressive refinancing of prior debt; he clarified those are savings from lower interest payments, not cash on hand. He summarized the three propositions as totaling about $500 million and reiterated the district's projection that Prop A carries the tax-rate impact: a yes vote on Prop A (alone or with other propositions) would produce the projected 1-cent increase; passing B or C by themselves would not increase the tax rate.

Audience concerns and process. During questions, a Blanton parent said prior investments felt wasted when a campus later closed, asking whether repairs can be more expensive than new construction; Hill responded that older buildings sometimes reach the end of their useful life and that the district used an FCI assessment to determine whether to repair or replace (citing South Davis as an example chosen for replacement). Hill also noted that renovations can trigger current building-code requirements (fire suppression, accessibility), which can increase costs and influence the repair-vs.-replace decision.

Next steps and voting. Hill directed listeners to aisd.net/bond26 for details and said early voting was scheduled April 20–28 and election day was set for Saturday, May 2; he noted polls would be closed April 24 for Fiesta San Antonio Day. He said if voters reject the package, the district would still face the same capital needs and would need to revisit proposals with the community.

The presentation did not include any formal motions or votes; Hill answered audience questions and closed the session by inviting further inquiries.