Pampa ISD Board Approves Bond Proposal

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PAMPA, TEXAS — The Pampa Independent School District Board of Trustees unanimously approved calling a School Bond Election for May 6, 2023.

A committee of community members developed the proposal in conjunction with the staff and administration. Their primary task was to develop and present to the Board of Trustees a long-term plan that included a recommendation for implementation.

“I want to thank our board, staff, and community for their work over 31 months to help get us to this point,” Pampa ISD Superintendent Hugh Piatt said. “This decision is based on carefully considering all areas of need around our district while balancing the expectations of our community. And we will send out more information leading up to election day to keep our community informed about this bond’s facts.”

Texas school districts do not receive state funding for renovating or building new schools. Instead, they must receive funds through school bond elections. The District has funded over $5 million in major projects through sound fiscal management. Pampa ISD has a Superior Achievement Rating from the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas and has one of the lowest tax rates among surrounding districts.

The 2023 Bond will ask voters to consider a $130 million package in 2 propositions. Proposition A is for $62 million and would include the following:

• Safety and Security

• New Career and Technology Addition

• New Elementary School for Grades 2-5

Proposition B is for $68 million for future projects and would include the following: ● New Fine Arts Addition

  New Athletics Facility

• Renovations and Upgrades to additional district elementary campuses and other district facilities

If voters approve $62 million for Proposition A in May, the estimated impact would be $14.47 per month for a home valued at $69,443 — the average market value for a home in Pampa ISD.

If voters approve $68 million for Proposition B in May, this would be for authorization for the board to sell bonds for future projects and would have no financial impact on district residents.

If voters approve the $130 million for both propositions, the estimated financial impact would still be $14.47 per month on the average home in Pampa ISD.

In 2019, Texas Legislators passed a new law as part of House Bill 3 that requires all bond propositions for any school district to have the phrase ‘THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE’’ on all ballot language for bond propositions. Due to this requirement, all voters will see this statement on the official ballot language, even if the tax dollar amount is frozen and will not exceed the tax ceiling.

Homeowners age 65 and older will not be impacted by the passage of the bond propositions if they have filed for and received the Over 65 Homestead Exemption with their local County Central Appraisal District. Their school district taxes will not exceed the frozen dollar amount. For more information, go to www.pampaisd.net/Bond2023.

Early voting begins April 24 and ends May 2, and Election Day is Saturday, May 6.