ROYSE CITY, TX – February 24, 2021 – Royse City ISD Community,
As your superintendent since 2012, I’ve seen so much growth in all corners of our school district. When I arrived, we enrolled just over 4,300 students. As of today, we are rapidly approaching an enrollment of 7,000. Our demographers predict that we will surpass 11,000 students by 2030.
In order to address this fast growth, a Bond Steering Committee convened in the Fall to help plan for the future. The group consisted of parents, staff, students, grandparents and community members. After 10 weeks of study and collaboration, they agreed on a $230 million bond proposal to recommend to the school board. On February 8, 2021, our board of trustees unanimously approved that recommendation resulting in a Bond Referendum on May 1, 2021.
One of the most common questions I get surrounding the upcoming bond election is whether homeowners’ taxes will go up as a result of the proposed projects. Just as in the May 2018 Bond Election, the proposed projects will not result in a tax rate increase. You may wonder how it is possible for your ISD to borrow $230 million without raising taxes. The rapid increase in commercial and residential properties allows Royse City ISD adequate bonding capacity without asking individual property owners to pay more in school taxes.
To be transparent, as a resident of the community and school district, I assume my tax bill will go up. This is due to my home’s appraised value, and not to the tax rate assigned to me by Royse City ISD. I’m also proud to share that since 2018, the district’s tax rate of $1.4648 has gone down by 20 cents. To put this in perspective, this is a $600 reduction annually for a $300,000 homeowner. As our district grows, our administration will continue to recommend tax rate compressions for homeowners whenever possible. We hope to do so again this year for taxpayers.
So why is it so important for me to share this financial information with you? A new piece of legislation has been adopted since our last bond election in 2018. It requires that all school districts use the phrase “This is a property tax increase” on the voter ballot. I believe that the intent of this legislation is to inform voters that a school district’s overall debt would increase as a result of the proposal. The legislation also requires school districts to separate the projects in the bond by type.
How does this impact Royse City ISD? If you are a registered voter within the boundaries of our district, your ballot will hold that statement even though there is no proposed increase to the tax rate. Voters will also find two propositions for approval or rejection. Proposition A holds all new construction, projects for existing facilities, land for future schools and other projects. Proposition B holds the proposed expansion of Royse City ISD Stadium and improvements to the baseball and softball complex at Royse City High School.
Early voting will take place at Royse City City Hall and Fate City Hall from April 19-27. Election day is May 1, 2021.
Over the coming weeks and months, I am eager to share the facts of this community developed bond proposal. It is an honor and privilege to serve as the superintendent of this great district. To learn more about Bond 2021 visit www.rcisd.org/bond2021 or email any questions to communityrelations@rcisd.org.
Thank you,
Kevin Worthy, Superintendent
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Letter to Royse City ISD community from Superintendent Kevin Worthy regarding $230 million bond referendum added by Editor on
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