McKinney ISD voters face $500 million bond, tax-rate question

MCKINNEY, Texas — McKinney ISD voters will decide four bond propositions totaling $500 million and a separate tax-ratification question in the Nov. 3 election. Early voting began Monday, Oct. 19, and continues through Oct. 30. The five measures serve different purposes, so voters can consider each one separately. Proposition A is a voter-approval tax-rate election for day-to-day school operations. The district says that money would support teachers, counselors, aides and student programs. Bond proceeds cannot pay salaries. McKinney ISD says it has cut a $23 million operating shortfall to about $6 million and argues that Proposition A would close the remaining gap. Those are the district's projections, rather than a guarantee of future spending or tax bills. Propositions B through E would authorize borrowing for facilities and equipment. The largest, Proposition B, is $430.95 million for school safety systems, building repairs and renovations, two elementary schools in growing areas, and a career-training center shared with Collin College. Proposition C is $62 million for instructional technology, including replacement student devices. Proposition D is $4.5 million for the existing training pool. Proposition E is $2.55 million for stadium turf and track work. The district says its proposed overall tax rate with all five measures approved would be about 3.79 cents per $100 of taxable value below the previous year's rate. A lower rate does not by itself guarantee a lower bill for every property owner: taxable values and exemptions also matter. The district's information separates the operating tax question from the bonds, which would be repaid over time. Only voters in McKinney ISD will see these district propositions. They are separate from Collin College's bond proposal and Plano's venue-tax question. Residents should check the sample ballot for their address and the Collin County elections office for current voting locations and hours.