Spearman ISD board calls May 3 bond election for $9.225 million package

The Spearman Independent School District Board of Trustees on Feb. 6 adopted an order to hold a bond election on May 3, 2025, asking voters to approve three propositions totaling $9.225 million. The board recorded votes of 7-0 to place Proposition A ($1.2 million for recreational facilities), Proposition B ($3.275 million for school buildings, buses and safety equipment) and Proposition C ($4.75 million to refund previously issued maintenance‑tax obligations) on the ballot.

The board entered the Order Calling School Building Bond Election into the record and included full ballot language and voter information documents. The ballot language in the Order states: "THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE." The Order sets Election Day hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., early voting dates from April 22–29, 2025, and delegates early‑voting officer responsibilities to the county election administrators for Hansford, Ochiltree and Hutchinson counties.

Board action included adoption of Exhibits A–C with the voter information documents showing principal, estimated interest and combined debt service for each proposition. The documents list the district's outstanding principal as $7,679,000 and the district's ad valorem debt service tax rate (at the time of the order) as $1.0232 per $100 valuation. The Order and exhibits also contain assumptions used in calculating tax‑impact estimates, including assumed interest rates and a 0% annual growth in taxable assessed value for the life of the proposed bonds.

The board's votes to place the propositions on the May ballot were recorded as motions during the open meeting and carried unanimously. The Order authorizes the president or vice president of the board and the secretary to execute the election order and directs the superintendent and county administrators to take procedural steps to conduct the election.