Bond Announcement
Bond Proposal Approved by Cleburne ISD Board of Trustees
Cleburne, Texas — The Cleburne Independent School District Board of Trustees approved calling a School Bond Election to be held on November 4, 2025.
A Facility Advisory Committee, comprised of a diverse group of Cleburne ISD community members and leaders, met to re-evaluate the bond package after the May 2025 bond vote. The committee, many of whom worked on the proposals for the May election, and others new to the group, re-examined demographic, financial, and structural reports. Since May, the group met multiple times to discuss what, if any, next steps needed to take place. On Monday, August 11th, the committee came to a consensus and built a bond package to be voted on in November.
“We’ve taken the time to go back and listen to our community and our advisors,” Superintendent Dr. Coby Kirkpatrick said. “The longer these projects are pushed down the road, the more expensive it gets. The 2025 Bond helps address projected growth, facilities, technology and safety and security issues.”
Texas school districts do not receive state funding for renovating or building new schools. Instead, they must receive funds through the sale of school bonds—which must be authorized in an election. The 2025 November Bond will ask voters to consider a $232 million dollar package in three different propositions.
Proposition A ($175,000,000) addresses replacement construction for two schools, Cooke Elementary and Gerard Elementary, and a ten classroom addition and upgrades to Marti Elementary. Current construction codes require storm shelters be included on any addition or new campus construction.
This proposition sets the stage for a phase 2 which would include Coleman Elementary. Coleman is the same age as Cooke Elementary, but its location in a floodplain and limited land, prevent rebuilding while students remain on-site. Cooke, however, has enough land to build a new school while students continue in the existing building. Once the new Cooke is complete, Coleman students could temporarily move into the old Cooke or Gerard, allowing Coleman to be torn down and rebuilt in a future bond. Building a new campus takes about two years from start to finish.
Proposition A also includes enhancements of the current Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs as well as an agricultural project center. CTE changes would consist of upgrades to Health/Science Technology, Engineering, Diesel Mechanic, AV Tech, and Culinary programs. Improvements to the agriculture center encompass renovations to the existing barn, the addition of new animal barns, as well as a small animal building, and new concrete parking.
Also contained in Proposition A is funding for facility improvements and life-cycle replacements. If paid for by bond funds, these improvements would make school buildings more energy efficient and lower operating costs – allowing the district to allocate its annual maintenance and operations funds back into the classroom for other items like teacher salaries and student programs.
Proposition B ($52,400,000) lists improvements to the existing turf field located at Cleburne High School, creating a multi-purpose stadium that could be utilized for athletics and fine arts departments, as well as for community events. The improvements would feature additions to the existing venue and include seating for 5,500, a two story press box, upgraded sports lighting, concrete plaza and walkways, home concession stands and restrooms, and a video scoreboard.
Additionally, the school district and the Facility Advisory Committee understand the historical importance of Yellow Jacket Stadium, and that citizens had concerns in the previous election about what would happen to it if a new stadium was constructed. Included in Proposition B is a plan to renovate the stadium for smaller events. Potential district uses include band practice field, outdoor education classes, and elementary field days. To make those plans feasible, the deteriorating buildings on the south side of the field would be taken down, new fencing added, and additional parking installed.
Proposition C ($4,600,000) covers technology, which must be on a separate proposition than campus construction or athletic facilities. This proposition would cover the cost of student and staff technology and network upgrading. The technology side of security items include upgraded door security, replacement of aging district radios, video surveillance equipment, and new PA system.
Since 2019, state law requires all bond propositions for any school district to have the phrase “THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE” on all ballot language for bond propositions. If the bond is passed, homeowners 65 years of age and older who have filed for and received the Over 65 exemption will not see an increase over their current rate as long as they make no major improvements. Check your most recent Notice of Assessed Value Change to see if your school district taxes will be impacted.
In 2025, the Texas Legislature passed significant property tax relief measures aimed at homeowners aged 65 and older. If the proposed Constitutional Amendment is approved by voters in November, eligible individuals will receive a total school tax exemption of up to $200,000 - combining the $140,000 general exemption and the $60,000 over 65/disabled exemption.
Because property taxes for seniors are already capped, this combined exemption could result in the elimination of school district property taxes for some senior homeowners. Even in school elections, senior property owners may experience no increase—or zero payment—in school district taxes, depending on district tax rates, structure, and property value changes.
The district will begin providing the community with voter education information about all areas surrounding the 2025 bond package.
More information about the bond projects and voting locations will be available on the district website at c-isd.com/bond.
To register to vote or to find out your registration status, call the Johnson County Elections Department at 817-556-6197, or visit their website at www.johnsoncountytx.org/departments/elections-office. The last day to register to vote in the November election is October 6.
Early voting begins October 20 and ends October 31, and Election Day is Tuesday, November 4.