Early vote tallies from Tuesday indicate that voters in Keller Independent School District are rejecting every item in the district’s $828 million bond package. The same pattern appears in nearby Eagle Mountain‑Saginaw ISD, where residents are turning down a proposed 4‑cent property‑tax increase and a $20 million bond intended to address an $11.3 million budget gap.
Keller ISD bond package faces uniform opposition
All five propositions in Keller’s bond package are behind the leading candidates for the school board. Proposition A, the largest request at $756.3 million for repairs and renovations at 34 campuses, received 52.23 % opposition and 46.77 % support. The remaining four measures—technology devices, natatorium repairs, athletic‑complex upgrades, and artificial‑turf installation—each saw larger margins of rejection, ranging from 55.85 % to 65.59 % opposed.
District leaders stress that the bond could be funded without raising the property‑tax rate, citing rising property values and the repayment of existing debt as sources of fiscal flexibility. Superintendent Cory Wilson warned that a defeat would force the district to dip into its operating budget for building repairs, potentially reducing funds for staff salaries and student programs.
School‑board candidates’ positions
Three at‑large candidates who support the full bond package are leading their respective board races. Rachel Weatherington, a former Keller ISD teacher, leads Place 4 with 70 % of the vote and backs all five propositions, arguing that improved teacher salaries and working conditions depend on the bond’s success.
Andrew Walsh, an engineer and Keller parent, leads Place 5 with 41.25 % of the vote, also endorsing the entire package. He contends that money earmarked for building repairs could be redirected to employees and student programs if voters approve the bond.
Barbara Brewer, a substitute teacher and former PTA president, holds a narrow lead in the special election for Place 6, winning 51.07 % of the vote. Brewer supports the full bond and wants to expand career‑technical education opportunities.
Opponents on the ballot include incumbent Chris Coker, who voted against the package in its entirety, and challenger Colin Hodges, who supports the bond but calls for stricter oversight of spending.
Eagle Mountain‑Saginaw tax increase and bond also rejected
Voters in Eagle Mountain‑Saginaw ISD turned down Proposition A, a 4‑cent increase in the maintenance‑and‑operating tax rate, with only 33.49 % in favor. The measure would have generated roughly $6.1 million annually for staff wages and student programs.
Proposition B, a $20 million bond to refinance existing bus‑purchase debt, also fell short, receiving 69.46 % opposition. Superintendent Jerry Hollingsworth explained that the bond would shift costs from the operating budget to the debt‑service budget, freeing about $3 million each year for other expenses. He warned that without the additional revenue, the district could face the elimination of 57 positions in the 2027‑28 school year and 282 positions by 2029‑30, with larger cuts possible if the tax increase fails.
Community voices reflect fiscal concerns
Local voters expressed mixed motivations. Matt Gallimore, a Keller resident, emphasized the need to maintain school facilities while keeping taxpayer spending responsible. Conversely, Trent Nix opposed any tax increase, citing the rising cost of living.
Both districts say the proposed measures are designed to protect classroom instruction and retain quality staff, but early returns suggest voters are wary of additional financial obligations.
What’s next?
Final certified results are expected later this week. If the bonds fail, Keller ISD officials say they will have to allocate operating‑budget dollars to building repairs, potentially impacting salaries and programs. Eagle Mountain‑Saginaw officials warn that staffing cuts could increase class sizes and reduce support for teachers.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
