Voters reject Northwest Independent School District bond package and tax increase
Northwest Independent School District’s nearly-$1 billion bond package and an attempt to raise the district tax rate were overwhelmingly rejected, according to unofficial election results Wednesday morning.
With nearly all ballots counted in Denton, Wise and Tarrant counties, a majority of voters opposed the bond as well as the proposed 3.26% tax rate increase.
The bond package was presented as four propositions, A through D, for voters in areas where the school district lies — to fund school facilities and capital improvements; other recreational facilities; renovations to stadiums and technology devices. The tax rate increase, predicted to generate $21 million of state funding, was presented as proposition E.
In Tarrant County, election results show voters rejected all propositions, voting against proposition A with around 60% of the vote, proposition B with about 65% of the vote, proposition C with around 70% of the vote and proposition D with around 56% of the vote. Tarrant voters rejected proposition D with around 63% of the vote.
Denton County voters similarly voted against the propositions, with around 58% against proposition A, 64% against proposition B, 70% against proposition C and 53% against proposition D. Proposition E failed with around 63% voting against it.
Proposition A was voted down with 69% of the vote in Wise County, while around 75% of voters rejected proposition B, around 78% of voters rejected proposition C and 68% of voters rejected proposition D. Around 73% of voters voted against proposition E.
The bond package was designed to support the district’s rapidly growing student population. Northwest expects 1,100 new students a year.
School district leaders said the bond would have allowed the district to build seven new schools and expand three to accommodate the growth, which itself would have provided the income to prevent any bond-related tax rate increases, according to the district.
The district asked voters to approve a 3.26% property tax rate increase, which would have changed the rate from $1.42 per $100 property value to $1.4663 per $100 of property value. The measure was expected to produce approximately $21 million in tax revenue if approved.
The increase would have cost the owner of a $300,000 home with a homestead exemption $127.
Other districts in the area, including Fort Worth, Arlington and Mansfield school districts, were requesting voters’ approval for a tax rate increase, many citing a decrease in state funding.
This story was originally published November 3, 2020 at 8:02 PM.