Photo Credit: CFISDEducation
CFISD Board of Trustees calls Nov. 3 election
During its Aug. 10 regular meeting, the Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Board of Trustees voted to place five separate propositions on the Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, ballot.
The election asks voters to consider two distinct funding areas for the school district:
1. Maintenance and Operations Budget (Proposition A): Funding for teacher and staff compensation, campus safety personnel, class-size maintenance, programs, and operational costs.
2. Capital Infrastructure & Equipment (Propositions B–E): Funding for existing facility improvements, repairs, and renovations; technology updates; safety equipment; bus replacements; and athletic facility updates.
Understanding the Two Funding Accounts
Under Texas public school finance law, school district revenues are divided into two separate, legally restricted funds:
· Maintenance & Operations (M&O) Budget: Funds daily operational costs, including teacher salaries, safety personnel, instructional supplies, property insurance and utilities.
· Interest & Sinking (I&S) Budget: Restricted by state law to pay for servicing debt for capital projects, such as building repairs, fleet replacement and technology systems. By law, capital bond funds cannot be used for teacher salaries or daily operating expenses.
Summary of the Five Ballot Propositions
Voters will evaluate each proposition independently on the November ballot:
| Proposition | Budget Category | Primary Scope & Allocation | Proposed Tax Rate Impact |
| Proposition A | Operating (M&O) | Teacher and staff compensation, class size maintenance, campus safety personnel, instructional materials, Fine Arts, CTE, Athletics, and student bus transportation. | +$0.1200 projected tax increase |
| Proposition B | Building Bond (I&S) | Essential facility renovations involving HVAC, electrical, and roofing systems; comprehensive safety and security enhancements; modernized technology and cybersecurity frameworks; and the acquisition of new school buses featuring three-point seat belts to replace vehicles exceeding 15 years of service. | $.03 projected tax decrease |
| Proposition C | Technology Bond (I&S) | Funding to replace or update instructional technology devices, classroom instructional displays and other teacher and student technology. | $.03 projected tax decrease |
| Proposition D | Athletic Bond (I&S) | Upgrades including new artificial turf, the resurfacing of competition tracks, and updated stadium scoreboards. | $.03 projected tax decrease |
| Proposition E | Swimming Pools Bond (I&S) | Replacement of water filtration pumps and replastering of high school and middle school pools to ensure student safety and improve energy efficiency. | $.03 projected tax decrease |
The five propositions reflect a two-fold governance process:
· Proposition A (VATRE) was placed on the ballot directly by the Board of Trustees to address an approximate $1,000 per-student state funding gap compared to surrounding Houston-area districts and to reconcile an operational budget deficit.
· Propositions B–E (Bonds) were called based upon recommendations from the CFISD Long-Range Planning Committee (LRPC)—a citizen advisory group composed of 60 community members, parents, and local business leaders who conducted an evaluation of district facilities, technology, fleet, and safety needs.
Proposition A: Operational Funding Mechanics (VATRE)
Proposition A is a Voter-Approved Tax Ratification Election (VATRE). Over the past three fiscal years, CFISD has enacted $94 million in operational budget reductions.
“Over the past three fiscal years, district leadership and the Board of Trustees have made disciplined decisions to reduce operational costs by over $94 million; managing inflation and enrollment shifts while preserving CFISD’s maximum 20% Local Optional Homestead Exemption,” said Dr. Douglas Killian, CFISD superintendent of schools. “Placing Proposition A and Propositions B through E on the November ballot provides our taxpayers with the direct opportunity to evaluate CFISD’s operational budget levels, staff compensation structures and long-term facility needs.”
If approved by voters:
· Proposition A would adjust the district’s M&O tax rate by $0.12 per $100 of taxable home value.
· The measure generates $83.4 million in local revenue and unlocks $20.2 million in state-guaranteed funding, bringing $103.6 million annually into CFISD classrooms.
If Proposition A is not approved, the district will be required to reconcile the operational deficit by evaluating additional cost reductions, which may include adjustments to class sizes, staffing ratios, non-mandatory student programs, and compensation structures.
Propositions B–E: Capital Improvements & Mandatory Ballot Language
Approval of Propositions B through E will not increase the district’s Interest & Sinking (I&S) debt service tax rate. Through strategic debt management, CFISD projects a $0.03 reduction in the I&S tax rate from the 2025-2026 tax rate.
“Over the past several months, a committee of more than 60 community stakeholders, parents, and local staff conducted a comprehensive evaluation of district facilities, safety standards, and technology lifespans,” said Anya Lucas, LRPC Co-Chair. “The committee’s findings and resulting bond recommendations reflect a detailed analysis of physical infrastructure needs across all 96 campuses and buildings.”
Under Texas Education Code § 45.003 (Senate Bill 30), Texas law mandates that the official ballot language for all school bond propositions must state: “THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.”
- Context for Voters: State law requires this exact phrase on every school bond ballot in Texas regardless of local debt management. For CFISD voters, approval of Propositions B–E authorizes capital bond funding but will not increase the district’s I&S tax rate. The I&S tax rate will decrease by 3 cents, moving from $0.40 to $0.37 per $100 of taxable property valuation.
Financial Breakdown & Tax Calculation
If all five propositions are approved, the net tax rate adjustment is +$0.09 per $100 of taxable property value (+$0.12 M&O rate increase from Prop A minus the projected -$0.03 I&S rate reduction from debt management), establishing the total tax rate at $1.1569.
- Proposition A (M&O Adjustment): +$0.12
- Projected I&S Debt Reduction: -$0.03
- Net District Tax Rate Adjustment: +$0.09 per $100 Value
CFISD offers a 20% Local Optional Homestead Exemption (LOHE) in addition to the mandatory $140,000 State Homestead Exemption:
- Appraised Value: $350,000
- Less 20% Local Optional Exemption (LOHE): – $70,000
- Less State Mandatory Homestead Exemption: – $140,000
- Net Taxable Value for CFISD: $140,000
Annual Estimated Net Impact: ($140,000 ÷ 100) × $0.09 = $126 per year
Monthly Estimated Net Impact: $126 ÷ 12 = $10.50 per month
Protections for Seniors and Disabled Homeowners
Under Texas Tax Code § 11.26, property taxes are legally frozen for homeowners age 65 and older or individuals with disabilities who have filed their exemption with the appraisal district. This election will not increase school property taxes for qualifying seniors or disabled homeowners unless significant structural additions are made to the residence.
Voting Timeline & Information
· Oct. 5, 2026: Last day to register to vote in the November Election
· Oct. 19 – 30, 2026: Early Voting Period
· Nov. 3, 2026: Election Day (Polls open 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
More details about CFISD Election 2026 will be posted to the district website soon.
Source: CFISD
