frequently asked questions
1. What is a bond?
A bond is similar to a home mortgage. It is a contract to repay borrowed money with interest over time. Bonds are sold by a school district to competing lenders to raise funds to pay for the costs of construction, renovations and equipment. Most school districts in Texas utilize bonds to finance renovations and new facilities.
2. How can bond funds be used?
Bond funds can be used to pay for new buildings, additions and renovations to existing facilities, land acquisition, technology infrastructure and equipment for new or existing buildings. Bonds cannot be used for salaries or operating costs such as utility bills, supplies, building maintenance, fuel and insurance.
3. What is a bond election?
School districts are required by state law to ask voters for permission to sell bonds to investors to raise the capital dollars required for projects such as renovation to existing buildings or building a new school. Essentially, the voters are giving permission for the district to take out a loan and pay that loan back over an extended period of time, much like a family takes out a mortgage loan for their home. A school board calls a bond election so voters can decide whether or not they want to pay for proposed facility projects.
4. Exactly how much is the proposed bond package?
The Board of Trustees called a bond election in the amount of $76,000,000 to be brought before voters on May 3, 2025.
5. why is a new high school proposed? How will younger campuses be affected?
A new high school would help alleviate overcrowding at nearly all campuses and allow for a growing student population. By adding a new high school, the campuses could change like this:
o New Venus High School could serve grades 10-12.
o Current Venus High School could become a junior high school for grades 7-9.
o Current Venus Middle School could become an intermediate school for grades 5-6.
o Current Venus Elementary School would remain an elementary but serve three grades: 2-4.
o Current Venus Primary School could remain EE-1.
6. How was the bond package developed?
The bond package was developed by the Bond Committee, that was made up of community leaders, parents, grandparents, and staff. The committee met multiple times over several months to study a facility assessment, district finances and tax impact scenarios, demographics and student enrollment growth, results from a community survey, and project costs.
7. How will the proposed bond election affect my taxes?
Visit the Tax Information page to learn more.
8. What if I am over 65 years old? Will my taxes go up if the bond is successful?
No. If you have filed a 65 and older exemption on your homestead, by law, your school taxes cannot be raised above their frozen level.
9. Who is eligible to vote in this election?
Any registered voter that resides within Venus ISD boundaries.
10. Can I still register to vote in the election?
The deadline for voter registration is April 3, 2025. If you are not registered to vote by this deadline, then you are not eligible to vote in this election. The Texas Voter Registration Application can be found online here, or applications can be picked up at any Post Office, library or Department of Public Safety location.