The DeSoto Independent School District is hosting information sessions after the board of trustees approved this spring’s $200 million bond election. According to DeSoto ISD, three propositions related to a proposed bond will be featured on the ballot. Those propositions pertain to campus renov ations, a student-athlete success center, upgrades to various athletics facilities, and ADA-compliance updates to Eagle Stadium. A financial advisor for the district determined residents would see a $0.1554 tax increase if the bonds are approved. DeSoto ISD said these info sessions aim to inform community stakeholders about the proposed bond program and allow attendees to learn more and ask questions. Guests can attend these info sessions virtually or in person. Tuesday, March 25, noon to 12:45 p.m., virtual Wednesday, April 2, 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m., virtual Tuesday, April 8, 7 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., virtual Monday, April 14, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., in-person at Belt Line Conference Center Thursday, April 24, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., in-person at Belt Line Conference Center Monday, April 28, noon to 12:45 p.m. virtual  Those interested in engaging in the virtual Bond Talk webinars may do so via Microsoft Teams. DeSoto ISD will also be hosting an in-person, guided bus tour of district facilities so attendees can understand the considerations posed in the proposed bond program. Those tours will take place on the dates below: Saturday, April 12, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. departing from DeSoto ISD Administration Building. Saturday, April 26, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. departing from DeSoto ISD Administration Building. According to DeSoto ISD, there are limited bus tour spaces. Guests are asked to reserve a spot by registering to attend online. For more information about DeSoto ISD and its initiatives, visit DeSotoISD.org.  The election will be held on May 3, and early voting will be held April 22-29. The last day to register to vote in this election is April 3. Check your status here. 2025 BOND PROPOSALS DeSoto Feb 12 DeSoto ISD trustees send $200 million school bond to voters Mesquite Feb 15 Mesquite ISD trustees approve $600 million bond proposal Arlington Feb 10 Arlington voters to decide on $201 million bond package in May. Details here HOW ARE TEXAS SCHOOL DISTRICTS FUNDED? Texas school districts are funded by three sources: Federal money, state money and local taxes. Local taxes comprise two tax rates, Maintenance and Operations (M&O) and Interest and Sinking (I&S), set by the school board. M&O is the money used to pay for the day-to-day operations of a school district, including salaries and professional development, utilities, curriculum, building maintenance, and student services. I&S is the money generated from bonds to pay for new buildings, renovations, security, buses and other large expenses. The I&S tax rate is used to repay the bonds. Funding approved for M&O and I&S projects can’t be mixed. HOW CAN BOND MONEY BE SPENT? Bond money can only be spent on capital projects like new buildings, renovations, security upgrades, land acquisition, and other non-recurring costs. It can’t be spent on salaries, staff, utilities, fuel, or other recurring costs. The money repaid from a bond will include interest over time, generally 30 years. Many districts try to repay their bonds early to save on the interest obligation. WHAT IS A VATRE? VATRE stands for Voter Approval Tax Rate Elections. If a district needs to increase funding for salaries, daily operating expenses, or other recurring costs, then they have to ask voters to approve of an increase of the M&O Voter Approved Tax Rate (VATR). Many districts hold VATREs to increase M&O funding because they have a deficit. State legislators have not increased funding for schools since 2019, and with inflation and the addition of unfunded mandates, such as adding an armed officer on each campus, many school districts say they are strapped for cash. ‘THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE’ A state law requires Texas school districts to include the statement, “This is a property tax increase,” on every ballot proposition. That is true even if the proposition does not increase the tax rate. In their proposals, many Texas school districts say they can issue bonds without increasing the I&S rate. This is often done by taking on new bond debt as old, declining debt is paid off. Read the district’s proposal thoroughly to understand whether voting for the bond package will result in a tax rate change. Even without an increase in the tax rate, changes in property tax appraisals could result in a larger tax bill for the property owner. ...read more read less