**Tyler ISD Bond 2024 Set for May 4 Election, No Tax Rate Increase Projected**
Tyler, TX – Tyler residents will decide on a $195.5 million bond proposal for Tyler Independent School District (ISD) during the May 4 general election, with early voting commencing on April 22. The district emphasizes that if approved by voters, the bond will not result in an increase to the current property tax rate.
The Tyler ISD Board of Trustees officially called for the election on February 19, placing the significant proposal before the community. The bond package is designed to address rapid student growth, enhance safety, upgrade career technology options, and ensure district-wide maintenance.
Key projects outlined in the Bond 2024 proposal include:
* **$144.5 million** for the construction of a new high school, aimed at alleviating overcrowding at existing campuses like Tyler High School and Legacy High School.
* **$24.5 million** dedicated to upgrades and improvements for the district's Career and Technology Center, enhancing vocational and technical education opportunities.
* **$14 million** for district-wide safety and security improvements across all campuses.
* **$12.5 million** allocated for general district-wide maintenance and infrastructure updates.
Tyler ISD officials state that the district can issue these bonds without increasing the tax rate due to a "tax swap" or "tax shift" stemming from legislative changes, most notably House Bill 3. This mechanism reallocates funds that were previously collected for bond debt service (known as "interest and sinking" taxes) more towards operational costs ("maintenance and operations"). This creates "debt service capacity," enabling the district to take on new bond debt without requiring an adjustment to the current interest and sinking tax rate.
Early voting for the May 4 election will take place from April 22 through April 30. Residents interested in learning more about the bond proposal can visit the official Tyler ISD website at TylerISD.org/Bond2024 for detailed information.
