At their January 26 meeting, the Hutto ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved calling a $522 million Bond Election to address current and future enrollment growth. This vote follows the presentation of the District’s Long Range Facilities Planning Committee’s recommended project list to the school board.

Voters within Hutto ISD’s boundaries will have the opportunity to cast their votes on three propositions during the May 6, 2023 election. If approved, the $522 million total will be funded through additional bonding capacity resulting from property value growth within the District and with zero increase to the tax rate.

The Long Range Facilities Planning Committee (the “Committee”), composed of 50 community members, parents, students and school district staff, formulated a comprehensive plan and presented their findings to trustees on Dec. 8. Convening in August 2022, the Committee spent nearly five months collaborating and studying the District’s current facilities, demographics, enrollment trends and school finances that resulted in the bond proposal which will address the impact that a rapidly increasing enrollment has on the District’s facilities in a fiscally prudent manner.

“We are grateful for the Long Range Facilities Planning Committee members who volunteered their time to participate in the development of this school bond, and we appreciate their continued commitment to our students and staff,” said Dr. Celina Thomas Estrada, Hutto ISD superintendent. “As a fast-growth District, ensuring that many voices are heard is paramount as we make decisions that will last for generations of students.”

“Through the community’s support of Bond 2019, we have made great strides in serving a rapidly growing student body and their families, and our Hippo Nation staff family. Bond 2023 has the potential to accommodate our rapidly increasing enrollment and position the school District for the student growth predicted over the next five to seven years.”

The latest demographic report and enrollment projections shows Hutto ISD as the fourth-fastest growing school district in Central Texas for annual new home closings. With a current enrollment surpassing 9,750 students, the District is expected to exceed 17,000 students by 2032. With approximately 75 square miles of land within Hutto ISD boundaries, numerous active and planned subdivisions and multi-family housing developments will continue to bring new families to local schools. Hutto ISD Bond 2023 was formulated with these facts in mind.

“This bond proposal brings before voters a community derived plan to address the rapid growth we are all experiencing in our community, and most importantly, represents the District’s proactive, forward-thinking, pre-planning efforts as we continually strive to be the best school district in Central Texas,” said Dr. Estrada Thomas. “The future is very bright for Hutto ISD, and we look forward to sharing the details of the bond proposal with our community and educating voters throughout the coming months.”

The District’s financial advisor projected no increase to the tax rate, which funds the repayments of bonds as a result of this bond election. In fact, the Hutto ISD Board of Trustees has decreased the tax rate annually in seven of the last eight years. The increasing commercial and residential property values and construction of new homes and businesses increases the District’s bonding capacity at the current I&S tax rate and will support this bond program.

“The Board recognizes the magnitude of tonight's vote in moving forward with calling a bond election and is the first necessary step in the process. The next step will allow voters to decide the direction our District will take to balance the incredible growing needs by taking the propositions to the ballot box,” said Hutto ISD School Board President Billie Logiudice. “We are so thankful to those who continue to invest their time, share their expertise and experiences, and offer their recommendations by serving on the Long Range Facilities Planning Committee.”

District & Community Growth

Over the last five years, Hutto ISD has experienced a 29% increase in enrollment. Currently, Hutto ISD is the fourth-fastest growing district in the area and has 23 actively building subdivisions and 11 future subdivisions planned. Groundwork is underway on 1,900 lots within the district. Current enrollment projections indicate Hutto ISD will be at or above capacity by 2025, and by 2027-28 more than 13,500 students will be enrolled in the District. By 2032-33, the enrollment projection increases to 17,700 students.

Hutto ISD Is the 4th Fastest Growing District in the Area

• Hutto ISD ranks 4th out of 20 Austin-area ISDs in Annual New Home Closings for the 3rd quarter of 2022.

• Hutto ISD increased its enrollment by 673 students in Fall 2022 for a 7.5% growth rate. As of January 2023, 9,750 students were enrolled.

• Hutto ISD had a record number of new home sales in 2022 (1,382) with 4Q not yet included, and new home starts remain strong even with the rising interest rates.

• The District has 23 actively building subdivisions and 11 future subdivisions planned.

• Groundwork is underway on approximately 1,900 residential lots within the District.

• Current enrollment projections show more than 13,500 students in the District by 2027-2028 and more than 17,700 by 2032-2033.

By 2031-2032 School Year, Hutto ISD Student Enrollment is Expected to Double

• Elementary Schools: By the Fall of 2031-2032, elementary school enrollment is expected to double.

• Middle Schools: As of Fall 2021-2022, Hutto ISD middle school enrollment was 2,137. By the Fall of 2031-2032, middle school enrollment in Hutto ISD is expected to be 4,040.

• High Schools: High School enrollment in Hutto ISD as of Fall 2021-2022 was 2,547. By 2031-2032, that figure is expected to climb to 4,927 high school students.

• District enrollment in Hutto ISD was 8,960 students in 2021-2022. By the Fall of 2032-2033, Hutto ISD is expected to be serving upwards of 17,700 students.

Financial Information

If approved by voters, the 2023 Bond will result in a ZERO tax rate increase. In fact, the District’s total tax rate has decreased in seven of the last eight years by a total of 27.71 cents.  Growth in the tax base will allow the District to build the projects in the bond proposal without any increase to the tax rate, which is the only part of your taxes Hutto ISD controls.

 Every Dollar Stays In Hutto ISD

Hutto ISD is facing recapture for the first time due to increasing property values. Chapter 49 of the Education Code, also known as “Robin Hood,” forces certain school districts to share local tax revenue with other school districts. Should Hutto ISD be subject to Chapter 49, 100% of funds collected to pay for the bond will stay in Hutto ISD and be used for our students.

Short Term Bonds will be used to finance items with a shorter lifespan

Items that have a short lifespan, i.e. buses and technological devices are paid off within five years.