Voters Approve Leander ISD's $454.4M Bond Package

LEANDER, TX — By a rather comfortable margin, Leander ISD Tuesday secured voter approval for its $454.4 million bond referendum to finance new school construction and expansion.

With nearly 10,000 ballots cast, 66 percent of registered voters supported the measure while 34 percent voted against.

The bond package was pushed as a means of securing financing chiefly to build four new schools in as many years; acquire land for nine more campuses in coming years; construct a second transportation facility; secure additional school buses; and install secure entrances at secondary schools.

District officials assured voters the tax rate wouldn't be raised as a result while promoting the bond package, pointing to robust city growth and significant housing starts as evidence of a strong tax base. District officials cited the need for the bonds-fueled financing given projected growth of 1,100 new students projected in the coming years.

From earlier:

LEANDER, TX — It's Election Day, and voters will decide on a $454 million bond package to build four new Leander ISD schools.

The bond referendum calls for acquisition of land for the future schools, improvements and renovations to existing district facilities and the purchase of additional school buses.

Early voting that began Oct. 23 was marked by low turnout at the polls, with just more than 1.5 percent of Williamson County registered voters hitting the polls last week. As of Wednesday, 4,785 voters cast ballots throughout 18 polling locations (four of which are mobile sites).

If approved, the issuance of debt would fund construction of four new schools to be built in as many years; land acquisition for another nine schools; design work for a pair of secondary schools; installation of secure entrances at all middle and high schools; a second transportation facility and purchase of new buses; technology enhancements; and other related items.

District officials insist projected growth, with attendant new home construction, will mitigate any tax impact. No increase in the tax rate will be required as a result of a bond issuance, district officials said. Projections call for a growth of around 1,000 students per year in the coming years, growing the current 39,100-student base.

For a list of voting places, click here. For polling place wait times and directions from your current location click here.

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