Baird ISD — May 2, 2026 Bond Election

Since 2020, Baird ISD has made major investments in new and improved facilities to support our students, staff, and community. These projects have been funded through a combination of local resources and voter-approved bonds.

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May 2, 2026 Bond Election — Proposition A

On February 9, 2026, the Baird ISD Board of Trustees voted to call a bond election to be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026.

Proposition A: $2,500,000

Voters will be asked to consider the following proposition:

THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE. The issuance of $2,500,000 of bonds for the construction, acquisition, rehabilitation, renovation, expansion, improvement and equipment of housing for teachers and the acquisition of land for such housing, and the levy and imposition of taxes sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds and the costs of any credit agreements.

What is included in Proposition A?

If approved, the $2,500,000 bond would fund the construction of new teacher housing units and the acquisition of land for that housing. The housing would be available for lease by teachers employed by Baird ISD. Lease rates would be set at market value and approved annually by the Board of Trustees. The district is planning for approximately 10 to 15 housing units of varying sizes. The final number will depend on construction costs and available funding. The district intends to use local builders on the project. Leases would be for one-year terms, aligned with the academic calendar.

Background

A similar proposition appeared on the November 4, 2025 ballot. That measure was defeated by a margin of 2 votes. The Board of Trustees has called the election again for May 2, 2026. The proposition language and project scope are the same as the November 2025 measure.

Relationship to the $23,000,000 Bond (Series 2026)

In November 2025, Baird ISD voters approved a separate $23,000,000 bond for campus facility improvements including a new band hall, cafetorium, culinary arts facility, science labs, STEM classrooms, and other academic spaces. Those bonds have been sold and funds received. Design work and initial bidding on those projects has begun. That bond and its associated projects are separate from the May 2, 2026 Proposition A on teacher housing.

 

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Tax Information

What is the projected tax impact?

Based on analysis prepared by the district's financial advisor, Live Oak Public Finance, LLC, the projected I&S (Interest & Sinking) tax rate impact of Proposition A is an increase of up to $0.0285 per $100 of taxable property value. This is in addition to the $0.1565 increase associated with the $23,000,000 Series 2026 bond already in progress.

The actual impact of Proposition A could be less than $0.0285 depending on the 2026/2027 appraised value received from the Chapter 313 entity, Enbridge Solar (Sequoia), LLC. These are preliminary estimates and are subject to change based on market conditions at the time of bond issuance.

Per the district's Voter Information Document, the estimated maximum annual tax increase on a residence homestead with an appraised value of $140,000 is $0.00, due to the $140,000 homestead exemption available under state law.

Estimated annual and monthly tax impact by home value (based on $140,000 homestead exemption):

 

Many Callahan County homeowners would see little to no tax impact from Proposition A due to the homestead exemption. Homeowners with a residence appraised at $140,000 or less would owe $0 in additional taxes if the bond passes.

For information on your property's current appraised value, visit the Callahan Central Appraisal District property search site or contact the CAD at (325) 854-2528.

How is the district's tax rate configured?

A school district's tax rate has two components:

• M&O (Maintenance & Operations): Funds day-to-day operations including salaries, utilities, supplies, and other operating expenses. Bond sales do not affect the M&O rate.
• I&S (Interest & Sinking): Used to repay voter-approved bond debt. Bond elections only affect the I&S rate.

Why does the ballot say "THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE"?

Texas law (enacted in 2019) requires all school bond election ballots to include the statement "THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE," regardless of the individual exemptions a voter may have. This language is mandated by the state and appears on every school bond ballot in Texas.

Information for Voters Age 65 and Older / Disabled Persons

If you qualify for an age 65+ or disabled person residence homestead exemption, state law caps your school district taxes at the amount you paid in the year you first qualified for the exemption. Your school district taxes on your primary residence may go below that ceiling but cannot increase above it, as long as you continue to own and occupy the home and do not make improvements or additions.

You must apply for this exemption. To qualify for this exemption, you must apply with the Callahan Central Appraisal District. The application form is available at the Callahan CAD website under "Homestead Exemptions" (General Residence Homestead Exemption — Including Age 65 and Over Exemption), or by contacting the CAD directly at (325) 854-2528 or info@callahancad.org. The CAD office is located at 302 Chestnut St, Baird, TX 79504, and is open Monday–Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

 

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Election Information

Early Voting Schedule

All early voting is at Baird ISD, 600 W. 7th, Baird, TX 79504.

Verify Your Voter Registration

Voters can verify their registration status at the Vote Texas website.

Vote by Mail

Voters who qualify to vote by mail should contact the early voting clerk:

Sara Price PO Box 1147, Baird, TX 79504 600 W. 7th, Baird, TX 79504 (325) 854-1400 | baird.bond@bairdisd.org

 

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Required Bond Postings

The following documents are provided in accordance with Texas Election Code requirements:

• Order Calling School Building Bond Election — Proposition A
• Notice of Election — English & Spanish
• Full Proposition Language – English & Spanish
• Sample Ballot Language – English & Spanish

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a bond election? School districts are required by state law to ask voters for permission to sell bonds to investors in order to raise funds for capital projects such as constructing or renovating buildings. A bond is similar to a mortgage — the district borrows money and repays it with interest over time. A school board calls a bond election so voters can decide whether to authorize the borrowing.

What can bond funds be used for? Bond funds can be used for capital projects including construction, renovation, land acquisition, and equipment. Bond funds cannot be used for day-to-day operating expenses such as salaries, utilities, supplies, or fuel.

Who would live in the teacher housing? The homes would be available for lease by teachers employed by Baird ISD. Housing would generally be offered on a first-come, first-served basis, with consideration given to matching unit size to household size. Leases would be for one-year terms aligned with the academic calendar.

Will the homes be new construction or renovations? The bond would fund construction of new homes, not renovation of existing properties.

Was this proposition on a previous ballot? Yes. A proposition with the same scope and dollar amount appeared on the November 4, 2025 ballot. That measure was defeated by a margin of 2 votes. The Board of Trustees voted on February 9, 2026 to place the proposition on the May 2, 2026 ballot.

What happens if the proposition passes? The district would be authorized to issue up to $2,500,000 in bonds for teacher housing construction and land acquisition. The bonds would be repaid through the district's I&S tax rate over an estimated 26-year period.

What happens if the proposition does not pass? The district would not be authorized to issue bonds for teacher housing. The need identified by the district would remain unaddressed.

Will this affect my taxes if I am 65 or older? If you qualify for an age 65+ or disabled person homestead exemption, your school district taxes on your primary residence are frozen at the amount you paid in the year you first qualified. Approval of this bond would not result in an increase above that frozen amount, as long as you continue to own and occupy the home without making improvements or additions. You must apply for this exemption through the Callahan County Appraisal District.

How will bond funds be managed? Under state law, bond funds must be used only for the purposes stated on the ballot.

Have questions not answered here? Contact Baird ISD at (325) 854-1400 or submit a question to baird.bond@bairdisd.org.

 

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Prior Bond and Locally Funded Projects

$23,000,000 — 2025 Bond (Approved by Voters, November 2025)

Currently in progress. Voter-approved funding for campus facility improvements including:

• New band hall / fine arts addition
• New cafeteria
• New Culinary arts facility
• New science labs
• New life skills facilities
• New elementary offices
• New elementary library
• New high school library
• Classroom upgrades at both campuses
• Renovations to auditorium
• New school buses

$17,000,000 — 2022 Bond Projects (Complete)

Voters approved a bond package to expand and modernize athletic and vocational facilities, resulting in:

• Athletic Weight Room (2023)
• Vocational Agriculture Building (2024)
• Competition Gymnasium (2024)

Locally Funded Improvements

Through careful financial planning and revenue from county wind energy projects, the district completed the following projects without issuing new bond debt:

• Old Rock Gym Renovation (2021)
• Welding Academy (2022)
• Bears Den Football Field Turf (2025) — funded through local wind energy proceeds

Campus Safety Enhancements

• Perimeter security fence, including reinforced historic CCC-era stone wall
• New secure administrative office in the Old Gym foyer
• Secured entryways at both the high school and elementary campuses

 

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Information on this page is provided for informational purposes only. Baird ISD is providing factual information about the May 2, 2026 bond election so that all community members can make informed decisions at the polls.