The Northwest Independent School District Board of Trustees approved an order Feb. 8 calling a bond election for May 1, 2021 that would place $745.7 million of propositions before voters.

Administrators described the package as focused on growth-driven capital needs and said the proposed bond can be sold without increasing the district's tax rate. The order passed on a 5-2 vote after extended board discussion about scope, timing and language on stadium projects.

The board approved the following split: $712.4 million for Proposition A (growth, renovations and lifecycle projects), $8.2 million for Proposition B (stadium renovations), $5.7 million for Proposition C (other recreational facilities) and $19.4 million for Proposition D (technology devices and refresh). The motion to call the election was made by Trustee Justin Schluter and seconded by Trustee Mary Murphy.

Why it matters: District staff and a long-range planning committee recommended the package after reviewing forecasts showing continued rapid student growth. Staff said the bulk of Proposition A addresses new and replacement schools, campus additions, technology infrastructure and site utilities needed to serve new developments. Administrators said the plan was drawn so bond sales could be completed without a tax-rate increase, though homeowners could see higher bills if property values rise.

What the board heard: Tim (district staff presenting the long-range planning committee recommendation) summarized committee work and scenarios, saying the committee’s “recommendation was bringing you a recommendation to call an election, representing 747,700,000 to be included on the ballot which would be no increase to the tax rate.” Board members asked whether the package could be trimmed below $700 million; presenters said cuts deep enough to hit that number likely would require returning to voters within two years because the district had delayed projects for a year.

Trustees also spent time on Proposition B language after members said some voters in prior elections confused references to “stadiums.” The board and the district’s bond attorney, Jeff Goldbus, revised the order and ballot language to call out renovations to the Texan Stadium (described in materials as the NISD track-and-field complex, parenthesis Texan Stadium) and Northwest ISD Stadium to make the target facilities clearer.

On campus priorities: Proposition A includes campus growth projects (elementary, middle and high school additions and replacements, pre-K classrooms, land acquisition), capital improvements and lifecycle replacements (roofs, HVAC, kitchens), safety and security equipment, and technology backbone infrastructure (fiber, cabling, radios). Proposition B covers large stadium projects including Texan Stadium and Northwest ISD Stadium lighting and structural work. Proposition C covers middle-school recreational facilities (tennis, track/field) and other resurfacing not categorized as gyms or playgrounds. Proposition D funds devices for students and staff on a roughly five-year refresh cycle.

Money and trade‑offs: Presenters said the long-range planning committee pared earlier proposals and that about 93% of the current package is growth-related. District staff noted rising construction-material prices—specifically steel—could increase project costs, and warned that postponing projects usually raises future costs due to market escalation. Board members repeatedly raised the political “sticker shock” of the headline number and asked staff to continue outreach to explain project details and the tax-rate assumptions.

Board action and vote: Trustee Justin Schluter moved to approve the order calling the bond election in the amounts described above; Trustee Mary Murphy seconded. The board recorded a 5-2 vote and the motion carried.

Next steps: With the order approved, staff said they will publish required legal notices, finalize ballot language to reflect the clarified stadium descriptions, and begin a communications plan that includes campus videos, social‑media posts, and a dedicated bond information channel. If voters approve any propositions, projects will be scheduled and phased according to the district’s bond-sale timeline and construction sequencing.

Context and limits: District officials repeatedly said the bond package reflects growth the district has experienced during the pandemic and is intended to keep facility capacity aligned with projected enrollment. Administrators emphasized that the board’s vote calls the election only; each proposition must be approved by voters to be authorized.