In the past, school bonds in the Houston area typically passed with ease. But this election marked a significant shift.
Sara Sands, a professor and researcher at the University of Houston, explained that this shift reflects two key factors:
First, public perceptions of schools have evolved.
“It reflects a general shift in trust. Right now, there’s a sense of distrust toward government and government institutions. We started noticing this directed at school districts and boards especially during the pandemic in Texas,” Sands noted.
Second, amid national concerns about the economy, people may be more cautious about using their finances to fund public schools.
“People are genuinely concerned about their financial bottom line, which likely impacted these bond results. When people feel financially stretched, they’re more worried about potential tax increases,” Sands explained.
So, what happens if bonds continue to fail?
In Houston ISD, two bond propositions didn’t pass, while Waller ISD voters were divided—they approved over $700 million for new schools but turned down $11 million for technology upgrades. When asked how they plan to compensate for the shortfall, both districts had similar responses.
“We’ll keep working to secure more grants and push for the legislature to invest more in safety and security,” stated HISD Superintendent Mike Miles.
Waller ISD’s head of communications, Sarah Marcus, added, “Our team is looking at grant opportunities and other creative solutions to meet state requirements for student and teacher technology needs.”
Sands noted that as more districts turn to grants, competition will naturally intensify. Grants are often difficult to obtain and usually cover only a fraction of the funding districts require.
“This is a prime opportunity for the state to take the lead, leverage its resources, and consider how to allocate state funds to enhance school infrastructure,” Sands said.
She also suggested that districts need to rethink how they present bond proposals to voters, pointing to HISD as a critical example.
