HOW WAS THE WILLS POINT ISD 2022 BOND DEVELOPED?

In the Summer of 2022, the WPISD Facility Advisory Committee (FAC), made up of parents, staff, and community representatives, engaged in researching and examining the prospect of a future bond referendum to address existing and new facilities in Wills Point ISD. The formation of the FAC stemmed from a unanimous recommendation by the WPISD Board of Trustees, following a review of the district’s demographic growth data, current facility conditions, and the failure of a bond in May 2022.

From July 2022 to August 2022, district leadership and the FAC met to create a plan for WPISD. During those months, they reviewed growth data trends for WPISD, deliberated on a facility condition index, reviewed a survey completed by WPISD parents in May 2022, and studied the current financial capacity of WPISD stakeholders. Following a consensus on proposed projects on August 18, the FAC presented its bond recommendation to the Board of Trustees on August 22, 2022. The Board of Trustees unanimously approved the $40,000,000 million bond referendum for the November 8 election ballot.

HOW DID THE COMMITTEE DETERMINE THE CAPACITY THAT WAS NEEDED?

Through an internal demographic study, it was determined that our projected growth rate for the next 2-3 years is 5%. These projections are based on the number of properties that have been approved and are planned for future home development within the school district. The graphs below show the previous student enrollment population and the current projections. To date, the district has exceeded projections for the 21-22 and 22-23 school years. 

HOW WILL THE 2022 BOND IMPACT THE CURRENT GRADE ALIGNMENT?

The projects proposed by the 2022 Bond will allow Wills Point ISD to realign grade levels. The current Woods Intermediate Campus will receive additions and renovations to make it a larger Wills Point Junior High, serving grades 6-8. The current Wills Point Middle School campus is to become a 5th-grade Center, 18-Plus, and GAP campus; the creation of a 5th-grade-only campus will help better design instructional programming that meets the social-emotional and academic needs of upper childhood. The current Wills Point Junior High campus receives additional capacity and renovations to become the new Woods Intermediate (grades 2-4). 

*This first step will allow us to reach our 10-15 year long-range plan goals of four total transitions: High School (9-12), Junior High (6-8), Elementary (1-5), Early Childhood Center (PK-K). 

Based on current growth projections, if the current bond is not passed, WPJH will be out of capacity by 2024-2025. 

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE 2022 BOND, AND HOW MUCH IS IT?

If approved by voters, the proposed 2022 Bond will provide funds for the transition of Woods Intermediate to Wills Point Junior High School, transition the current Wills Point Middle School into a 5th Grade Center, and transition the current Wills Junior High School to Woods Intermediate. This decision was made after careful review of the existing lot sizes. The current Wills Point Junior High is located on a 9-acre lot, with Woods Intermediate being located on a 19-acre lot. With the need for future expansion, it was deemed necessary and appropriate to move the junior to the larger lot in an effort to provide space for future expansion. 

The Wills Point ISD Board of Trustees called for a $40,000,000 bond to fund these proposed projects.

I’M 65 YEARS OR OLDER. HOW WILL THE 2022 BOND IMPACT MY TAXES?

Tax rates for homeowners 65 years and older (with a homestead exemption) are frozen and will not increase above your current exemption ceiling if the 2022 Bond is approved.

DOES THE 65+ EXEMPTION APPLY TO MULTIPLE PROPERTIES?

No, neither the homestead nor the over 65 exemption can be applied to multiple properties other than the principal residence. Texas law requires school districts to offer AN ADDITIONAL $10,000 Residence Homestead Exemption (above the standard $40,000 exemption) to persons age 65 or older or disabled. Texas Tax Code Section 11.13.

HOW MUCH WILL THIS BOND COST ME?

The average house in WPISD is valued at $210,000. Should the bond pass, the average homeowner's cost would be approximately $34.00 per month. The average rental property in WPISD is valued at $60,000. Should the bond pass, the average renter's cost would be approximately $12.00 per month.