Frequently Asked Questions

School districts are required by state law to ask voters for permission to sell bonds to investors in order to raise the capital dollars required to renovate existing buildings or build a new school. Essentially, it’s permission to take out a loan to build, renovate and pay that loan back over an extended period of time, much like a family takes out a mortgage loan for their home. A school board calls a bond election so voters can decide whether or not they want to pay for proposed facility projects.

No — passing a bond is not like giving Van Alstyne ISD a blank check. When voters approve a bond, they are giving the District permission to issue bonds (borrow funds) only for the specific projects listed on the ballot.

Bond funds are legally restricted and can only be used for construction, renovations, land purchases, buses, and other voter-approved projects. They cannot be used for teacher or staff salaries, utilities, or daily operating costs.

Van Alstyne ISD also maintains separate accounts for bond funds, and all expenditures are subject to audits and oversight.

The remaining $111 million from the 2021 bond has already been designated for specific, voter-approved projects. These include the Phase 2 additions at the high school — such as classrooms, the auditorium, and indoor space — as well as additional capacity at either the secondary or elementary level, depending on which is needed first. By law, the district can only use those funds for projects that were approved in the 2021 bond.

If voters approve the bond, the entire $550 million is authorized—but it is not borrowed all at once. The district will only sell bonds (borrow money) as needed for approved projects, likely in multiple phases over several years, based on enrollment growth and construction timelines.

That means the district only begins paying principal and interest on the amounts actually issued—not on the full $550 million upfront.

Each bond sale has its own repayment schedule, typically up to 25–30 years, but the timing is carefully managed so that older debt is paid off as new bonds are issued. This helps the district maintain a stable tax rate over time while meeting facility needs as growth occurs.

The district can only issue (borrow) bonds as financial conditions allow. Bonds are sold in phases over time — not all at once. If property values or growth were to slow, the district could delay or reduce future bond sales until conditions improve. Taxpayers are only responsible for repaying bonds that are actually issued, not the entire $550M authorization upfront.

The Admin Building currently houses 12 Departments, 20 Offices, 43 Staff Members, 1 Training Room, and 1 Boardroom. The 43 staff members include: 18 in Special Education, 8 in Curriculum, 4 in Technology, 3 in Business, 3 in ESL/504/Testing, 2 in PEIMS, 2 in Administration, and 1 each in Child Nutrition, Police, and the Education Foundation.

The Transportation and Maintenance Center includes 3 offices and supports 29 staff members. To accommodate growth, the department has utilized an old maintenance barn, as the current facility offers no additional capacity.

Van Alstyne ISD’s Administrative Team includes 12 departments and 43 staff members that serve our students, staff, and community every day. Due to the nature of these responsibilities, these positions require on-site operations. Here’s why:

1. Public-Facing Roles
The Administration Building serves as a central hub for families, staff, and community members. Parents visit for enrollment, to access student records, or to receive assistance with district programs and services. Staff are available in person to ensure these needs are met quickly and accurately.

2. Collaboration with Campuses
Departments such as Curriculum & Instruction, Special Education, Technology, and Transportation work hand-in-hand with our campuses. They regularly conduct trainings, meetings, and on-site support visits that require in-person coordination.

3. Confidential and Secure Work
Much of the district’s work involves sensitive information—student records, testing materials, and financial data—that must remain within secure district systems. Working on-site maintains the confidentiality and data integrity required by law.

4. Accountability and Responsiveness
As a public institution, Van Alstyne ISD values transparency and accessibility. Administrative staff must be available for audits, board meetings, and public inquiries, which are handled in person.

If the bond does not pass, VAISD will add portable buildings to address increased enrollment within the district. 

Safety & Security: Portable classrooms require additional security measures and can be more vulnerable compared to permanent buildings.

Cost: $900k< per portable.

Longevity: Portables are designed as temporary structures and are not a long-term solution.

Funding: Funded by Maintenance & Operations (M&O) Fund Balance, which also pays for:

• Teacher salaries

• Instructional materials and programs

• Operational costs (utilities, transportation, etc.)