Lancaster, Texas — At a Dec. 3 work session, Lancaster ISD trustees reviewed a compressed timeline that district staff say could lead to a board vote to call a bond election on Feb. 11, with a legal call deadline noted as Feb. 13 at 5 p.m.

Kimberly Simpson, who presented the district’s facilities backward-planning timeline, told the board the Capital Outlay/Capital Ally Committee had concluded a bond program is the most strategic route to address long‑term facility needs. "The target date for the board to vote to call the bond election would be February 11," she said, listing steps 2–6 weeks before a call, including final legal review, ballot language, cost estimates and tax‑rate modeling.

The board then received training from a Region 10 consultant, Miss Morgan, who walked trustees through the two phases of a bond effort — planning and campaign — and emphasized statutory and ethics constraints. "You have to call legally by February 13 at 5PM," Morgan said, noting a 75‑day campaign window after the official call and new legislative changes that have reduced district bond capacity. She warned trustees that the Texas ethics code bars public officials from using district funds for political advertising but allows districts to distribute factual project information such as costs, timelines and voting logistics.

Why it matters: If the board decides to call an election, the district will enter a 75‑day campaign period during which the district may provide factual information but cannot spend public funds on political advertising; trustees who wish to advocate must do so on their own time and with private resources. The timeline also frames procurement, community engagement and final cost estimates needed to present a coherent ballot.

District staff said they are working with PBK on facilities assessments and with financial advisors on long‑range debt planning and tax‑impact modeling. Simpson said the administration is aiming to complete training for the board and capital outlay committee and finalize project scopes before any call.

Board members asked for clarifications about campaigning rules, what materials staff can prepare, and how new state laws affect bond capacity. Morgan cited recent legislation (transcript reference: "Senate Bill 14 53") and the boost in homestead exemptions that, she said, had reduced district bond capacity statewide. Trustees did not vote on a bond call at the session; staff said the board would consider formal action at a future meeting after final assessments and legal reviews.

Next steps: Staff will finalize facilities assessments and tax‑modeling, continue board training and return with recommended ballot language and supporting materials for the board to consider at an upcoming meeting.