School districts are required by state law to ask voters for permission to sell bonds to investors in order to raise the capital dollars required to renovate existing buildings or build a new school. Essentially, it’s permission to take out a loan to build, renovate and pay that loan back over an extended period of time, much like a family takes out a mortgage loan for their home. A school board calls a bond election so voters can decide whether or not they want to pay for proposed facility projects.

Recent research by the Environmental Protection Agency suggests that a school’s physical environment can play a major role in academic performance. Leaky roofs and problems with heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems can trigger a host of health problems – including asthma and allergies – that increase absenteeism and reduce academic performance. Research links key environmental factors to health outcomes and students’ ability to perform.

The District has been evaluating ongoing enrollment, growth, district equipment, and facility conditions.

See growth projections here.

Under state law, bond funds must be used for items listed on the election ballot.

The school district itself does not set property values. Property values are determined by the Johnson County Appraisal District, an independent government agency responsible for estimating the market value of properties in the county each year. 

The Appraisal District looks at things like: 

1. Recent sales of similar homes in your area 

2. Market trends (supply and demand) 

3. Improvements or changes made to your property 

4. Overall neighborhood growth and development 

In short: The school district doesn’t control your home’s value—the real estate market and the county appraisal process do. Find out more information at https://johnsoncad.com/

No, bond funds cannot be used for teacher salaries.

Teacher salaries are affected by the M&O (Maintenance & Operations) tax rate, which is a function of limitations imposed by the state.

Currently, 80 transfer students are children of KISD staff. Because Keene ISD is the third smallest school district in Texas by square mileage (4.2 sq. miles), housing within district boundaries is limited. Consequently, the majority of our teachers must live outside the district. Additionally, data indicates that only 16% of all transfers are families that have been with KISD less than 3 years, meaning the vast majority of our transfer population consists of families with a history in our community.

State law requires that Kindergarten through 4th-grade classrooms be capped at 22 students per teacher. With four classes per grade level, that equates to a functional capacity of approximately 88 students per grade. The district uses similar planning assumptions for 5th grade.

Keene Elementary (299)

PK-59

K-72

1st-84

2nd-84

Keene Summit (220)

3rd-72

4th-66

5th-82

Keene JH (238)

6th-73

7th-78

8th-87

Keene HS (358)

9th-87

10th-92

11th-85

12th-78

Our mission—to be the "school of choice" in Johnson County and build "makers of learning and not just takers"—remains unchanged regardless of the vote. We will continue to prioritize the Keene 22 (our core soft skills) and provide an environment where we try to love every child, every need, every day.

However, from a facility standpoint, the path forward changes:

• Portables: If the bond does not pass, the district will likely purchase portable classrooms to accommodate student growth. While portables provide additional space, they also come with costs. These units would be funded through M&O (Maintenance and Operations) funds, which are used to fund daily instruction, operations, and staff salaries.

• Student Safety: Portables increase the logistical danger during severe weather. Compared to a permanent structure, they offer less protection during storms, requiring students to be moved across campus during high-risk situations.

• Temporary Solution: Research shows that modular classrooms are often designed as temporary solutions rather than long-term learning environments. 

Proposition A: Elementary Safety & Efficiency

• The Cafeteria: The elementary cafeteria has been added onto three times over two decades. Because the space is fragmented into three separate sections, teachers are unable to monitor all areas at once. As a result, lunch periods are spread out, with the youngest students eating at 10:15 AM while the oldest eat at 12:15 PM.

• Storm Shelter: The new cafeteria will be built as a Level 5 Storm Shelter, large enough to hold all Pre-K through 5th-grade students.

• Fiscal Strategy: The bond package was constructed with the taxpayer in mind.  We plan to renovate the old cafeteria into classrooms (cheaper than building new), while addressing the cafeteria reconfiguration with a dedicated new addition.

Proposition B: Secondary Facilities & Performing Arts

• Classroom Renovations: We plan to renovate the old Junior High gymnasium into eight new classrooms and a new band hall.

• The "Gymnatorium": Our Fine Arts programs (Band, Choir, and Theater) have exceeded the current facilities' capacity. In recent performances, students were asked to clear the room four times between performances in order to accommodate parents. Additionally, KISD recently rented the Cleburne Civic Center to hold the crowd for a one-act play due to capacity constraints.

The Proposal: The Gymnatorium will feature a full-size stage, dressing rooms, and enhanced acoustics, with seating for over 1000 people.

After the November vote, the district surveyed the community. The feedback indicated two main takeaways: misinformation and the bond being overshadowed by city politics.

• The Change

  • Two Propositions: The bond is now split into two parts. It was discussed at the roundtable that this approach would give voters more flexibility in their decision by allowing them to consider each group of projects individually.

  • Separation from City Politics: The Board felt it was important to present the bond independently from city-specific items (like road repairs or city hall construction) to ensure the focus remains on students and to separate the school's projects from local city politics.

About 13 years ago, KISD charged a $500 tuition fee. While we collected $500 from the family, we realized we were losing roughly $9,500 per student in state revenue by turning them away.

• Revenue: Transfer students currently bring in over $4 million in operating revenue annually.

• What that means for KISD: This revenue allows KISD to offer advanced programs and resources that would otherwise be unaffordable for a district of our size, benefiting the students who live within Keene boundaries most of all.

The district already limits transfers to those who meet established behavioral and academic standards. The primary goal of the bond is not just classroom space but also student safety, aging facilities, and functionality across campuses. These are infrastructure considerations that exist regardless of the transfer population.