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 for projects such as renovations of existing buildings or building a new school. Essentially, the voters are giving permission for the District to take out a loan 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. School boards then have the authority to sell bonds when facilities are needed.

This bond is truly a community-developed plan, created with input from all neighborhood representatives within our district. Every perspective was considered in the process, ensuring that every part of Argyle ISD was represented.

• A Commitment to All Students – Our district leadership and Board of Trustees are dedicated to serving every student in our 35-square-mile district. They believe every student deserves exceptional educational opportunities—and that includes providing the right learning spaces.
• What That Looks Like – This bond will help us create appropriate, safe, and modern learning environments where students and teachers won’t feel overcrowded or like “just a number.” This bond gives every child space to thrive, feel valued, and receive an exceptional educational experience. 

This bond is about ensuring excellence, safety, and opportunity for all of our students, no matter where they live in the district. 

The 2025 Argyle ISD bond proposal is a community-driven plan developed by the Argyle ISD Bond & Growth Planning Committee (BGPC), which reconvened in 2025. The committee, composed of 30 AISD parents, staff, community members, and business leaders, met in a series of meetings to evaluate the district’s long-term needs.

The committee reviewed Argyle ISD’s facilities, finances, and infrastructure, considering demographic reports, financial updates, and current facility conditions. Based on this comprehensive review, the committee formed a recommendation for a May 2025 bond proposal. The recommendation was approved by the Argyle ISD Board of Trustees during a special meeting on February 12, 2025, with no modifications.

Yes. Voters should record their vote in each of the propositions on the ballot.

Please visit the Argyle ISD bond election info page or the Denton County Elections Website for updates on all voting locations. Voters can vote at any Denton County polling location during early voting. Election Day voting is done by precinct.

Argyle ISD will make a sample ballot available once it is released.

Bond authorization specifies the amount of bonds the district is authorized by voters to sell. Bond issues may occur over a period of time based on the current bonding capacity and schedule of projects.

Proposition A ($393,735,000)

• Elementary #6
• Middle School #2
• Middle School #3 (Planning & Design only)
• Elementary School #5 (Bond 2022 Construction Escalation)
• Existing Facilities Capital Improvements*
• Land Acquisition & Offsite Costs
• Buses
• Technology Infrastructure

Capital improvements to existing facilities or infrastructure will NOT increase capacity at any Argyle ISD facility. 

Existing Facility Capital Improvements: $55,210,000

Capital improvements do not include student capacity additions at any campus listed. 

• Hilltop Elementary: Upgrades to site, exterior, interior, and MP&E
• Sixth Grade Center: Upgrades to site, exterior, interior, MP&E, and gym renovation
• AMS 377 Campus: Upgrades to site, exterior, interior, cafeteria/coffee bar expansion, and MP&E
• Argyle High School - Canyon Falls Campus: Addition of a hallway structure connecting academic wings to reduce overcrowding and congestion, improve traffic flow, and enhance safety during class transitions
   

Fast growth in AISD among grades Pre-K through 5th over the next 10 years is projected to surpass 4,900 students in AISD elementary schools by 2033 - 2034. The 2022 Bond provided funds to construct two new Elementary Schools- Jane Ruestmann Elementary in 2024, and Elementary School #5 slated to open in Fall 2026. 

Because of the expected student enrollment growth- which has consistently exceeded projections- a sixth elementary school was recommended by the Bond & Growth Planning Committee. 

The inability to secure functional future land sites for new facilities will create capacity issues at current facilities. 

The inability to secure bond authorization for future facilities to address growing enrollment will create capacity challenges in our current instructional and classroom spaces. Therefore, the Bond & Growth Planning Committee would reconvene to determine the next steps.

As our district continues to experience rapid growth, securing land for future schools is a goal of the district. Here’s why:

• Rising Land Costs – Unlike some districts that have land-banked over the years, Argyle ISD competes with developers and investors, driving prices higher each year.
• Proactive Planning – To avoid costly last-minute purchases, the district’s goal is to secure land in the near future that can provide future school locations in areas that best serve the families.  

Zoning & Location Matters – Identifying and purchasing land in accessible locations can help accommodate growth and keep school sites in areas that align with city planning and infrastructure.

Argyle High School was built with two main academic wings that funnel all students back to the main corridor and foyer during every passing period. This means:

• Nearly 1,700 students, and growing, crowd into the same central area and stairwells to get to their next class.
• Safety Concerns arise due to congestion, increasing the risk of accidents and delays.
• The Connector Fix – A new structure would link the two academic wings at the east end exterior doors, significantly improving traffic flow and creating a safer, more efficient campus.

This project is an investment in student safety and campus functionality as our high school continues to grow. This project does not add any student capacity to AHS.

As Argyle ISD continues to grow rapidly and open new campuses, maintaining and expanding our technology infrastructure is essential for both education and safety.

• Classroom Learning – Teachers rely on classroom displays for instruction, which require updates as they reach their end-of-life cycle.
• Network & Connectivity – Expanding schools means updating network cabling, switches, firewalls, and wireless access points to ensure fast, reliable internet and digital learning tools.
• Security & Safety – Upgrades to components such as PA systems, security cameras, door access, and phone systems are crucial to keeping students, staff, and facilities safe.
• Technician Vans – As the district expands, technicians need to be mobile to efficiently maintain and service technology across multiple campuses.

Investing in these technology upgrades ensures our students and staff have the tools they need to learn safely and effectively in a fast-growing district.

According to demographer projections, Argyle ISD is projected to exceed capacity with two middle schools by 2034.

• Timing is Key – To ensure the school is ready by 2034, the district must begin the planning and design phase by 2030-31. This gives the district enough time to bid the project and prepare for a smooth construction process and meet necessary opening date.
• What’s Included in this Bond – This bond will cover the planning and design costs for MS3, while construction will be part of a future bond. Planning and designing is needed for MS3 in the next 5 years. Planning ahead ensures that when the time comes, we are prepared to meet the needs of our growing district without delay.

By investing in the planning and design of MS3 now, we are ensuring every student has the space they need to thrive.

As Argyle ISD continues to experience rapid growth, the middle school grades are being significantly impacted, and this bond would allow the district to proactively prepare for enough space for our students.

• Current Enrollment Projections – For the 2025-26 school year, Argyle ISD will have 1,048 7th and 8th graders at AMS on Hwy 377, and the Sixth Grade Center will have 549 students.
• New Construction (from Bond 2022) – The new middle school (opening in 2026-27) on FM 407 will have a capacity of 1,200 students. However, by 2026, we will have 1,165 projected students in grades 7-8, meaning we’re already at capacity when the new school opens.
• Transition to Two Middle Schools – To avoid overcrowding, we need to transition to two middle schools the same year the FM 407 Middle School opens:
  • The 377 campus will serve as the middle school for the eastern zone.
  • The new middle school on FM 407 will serve the western zone.
• Capacity – The 377 campus will reach capacity in just two years as both middle school and high school students occupy it starting in 2027-28. To prevent overcrowding, MS2 must be completed by 2029-30.
• Avoiding Attendance Zone Adjustments – Without the second middle school, the district would have to consider rezoning students, potentially forcing more students from the eastern zone to be moved to the western zone, where additional capacity is projected to be available.

By building MS2, the district ensures there is enough space for all students and avoids disruptions to student learning.

Pre-Design

• Verification of project requirements with district stakeholders, including program, schedule, budget
• Coordination of topographic survey and geotechnical investigation
• Site survey, drainage study, utilities study, zoning analysis
• Review AHJ requirement around setbacks, materials, parking, fenestration, screening, site lines
• Work with district leadership focus group to confirm curriculum and instructional goals, district’s belief system, improvements, and intentions for growth, and learning outcomes, then ensure alignment of the architectural solution with these goals

Schematic Design

• Two-day Design Charette, building on a curation report to work with a larger team of district leadership, campus leaders, teachers, and students to develop conceptual designs, massing, and site layout
• Preliminary code reviews, meetings with local jurisdiction
• Materials selection
• Conceptual mechanical, electrical, plumbing engineering layout, and narratives
• Conceptual site utilities and vehicular ingress egress plans
• Site plan, floor plans, building elevations, building sections, renderings and 3d views to represent the schematic design
• Coordination with CM on SD cost estimate and scope to budget review

Design Development

• Continued development of the design documents architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical systems
  • Finishes, casework/millwork, furnishings, door and window requirements, electrical outlets and lighting requirements, plumbing fixtures type and placement, heating/cooling requirements 
  • Security review and requirements
• Progress meetings with district stakeholders
• Outline specifications
• Updated program, finalize building systems, define size and character of building, accessibility review
• Coordination with CM on DD cost estimate and scope to budget review

Construction Documents

• Development of documents required to bid and build the project
• Milestone cost estimate, QA/QC, and owner review packages at 50% and 75% CD
• Project manual including contract and procurement requirements and information for all products and pieces of the building by CSI Division
• Final code review, storm shelter documentation, energy code review, accessibility review
• Site, grading, paving, drainage, and utility plans
• Landscape and Irrigation plans
• Floor plans, building and wall sections, interior and exterior elevations, plan details, casework elevations, roof plans and details, finish schedules and plans, reflected ceiling plans, enlarged toilet and stair plans, interior finish plans
• Fire protection, plumbing, mechanical, electrical power and lighting, technology and A/V plans, details, and schedules
• Emergency lighting plans and photometrics
• Food service equipment and layout, plans, and schedules
• Structural foundation, framing, and roof plans, elevations, and details
• Contract Documents available to bidders
• Submissions for permitting Traffic Impact Analysis review

Items anticipated included in the budgeted cost:

• Site survey/due diligence
• Traffic Study
• Geotechnical Engineering/ a portion of materials testing and special inspections
• Third Party TDLR/TAS/ADA Review  

Argyle ISD is experiencing rapid growth, with elementary enrollment increasing by nearly 13%. Over the next several years, the district is projected to grow at an average 8% annually, reaching over 4,000 elementary students by 2029.

🔹 Current Capacity – Our four existing elementary schools can accommodate students through 2026, but Elementary 5 (opening in 2027) comes one year after we exceed capacity, creating a temporary space challenge.

🔹 Future Need – Even with five elementary schools, we will run out of capacity by 2029. That’s why Elementary 6 is included in this bond—it ensures we have enough space for students through 2034.

🔹 Planning Ahead for Growth – Without Elementary 6, the district would have to explore rezoning, temporary classrooms, or other measures that could impact learning environments. Proactively building now ensures stability for our students and staff.

When the 2022 bond was planned, inflation and construction cost escalation had not yet become a major challenge. However, since its passage, the construction industry has seen significant cost increases, impacting all new projects in that bond.

🔹 Rising Costs Affecting Schools – When Elementary 4 (Jane Ruestmann Elementary) went to bid, it went over the projected bond amount due to inflation. This created a domino effect, further impacting Elementary 5, which is being built at an even later date and facing continued construction escalation.

🔹 Addressing the Shortfall – To ensure Elementary 5 is built to the same size and capacity as West, South, and JRE, the district has worked closely with the bond committee and discussed in public board meetings the need for an additional $15 million to offset construction escalation-related cost increases.

🔹 A Responsible Plan – This adjustment is necessary to fulfill the original vision for Elementary 5 and maintain consistency across all elementary campuses. Without it, compromises in size or features would be required, impacting student learning spaces.

Argyle ISD has proactively accounted for inflation and cost escalation in the May 2025 bond to prevent the challenges experienced in Bond 2022.

 A Smarter Approach for Bond 2025 – To ensure this does not happen again, the district has:
✅ Calculated cost escalation using recent inflation percentages
✅ Based projections on real, current bid prices from JRE and the new middle school
✅ Ensured accurate budgeting so projects can be built as planned, without funding gaps

By taking proactive steps, the district strives to ensure the 2025 bond projects are fully funded and that schools will be built on time and to the right capacity for our growing student population.

Proposition B ($29,435,000)

• High School Baseball/Softball Complex at AHS (Canyon Falls)

Currently, all varsity and sub-varsity baseball and softball teams at Argyle High School must travel to the HWY 377 campus (Argyle Middle School) to practice and play, as it is the only competition complex in the district.

• The Two High School Transition (2027-28) – When Argyle ISD moves to two high schools, both schools will be expected to have baseball and softball programs. One complex cannot accommodate both schools, just like asking two schools with multiple teams to share a gym wouldn’t be feasible.
• Unlike Football, Baseball & Softball Need Dedicated Fields –
  Football teams can share a stadium because they practice on campus and only play once a week. Baseball and softball teams have boys and girls teams, varsity and sub-varsity, who practice daily and play multiple nights per week, including tournaments.

Without a new complex at Canyon Falls, district athletics would have to determine whether baseball and softball programs could even be accommodated at the new high school, since the existing complex is already in full use.

This bond proposition ensures equal opportunities for student-athletes at both high schools, allowing them to practice and compete at their home campus.

Bond funds can be used to pay for new buildings and renovations to existing facilities, land acquisition, technology infrastructure, and equipment for new or existing buildings. Bonds cannot be used for salaries or operating costs such as utility bills, supplies, building maintenance, fuel and insurance.

The Argyle ISD bond election ballot will include language that will state "this is a property tax increase." School bond propositions are required by state law to include this terminology. However, the Argyle ISD bond will not increase the tax rate. 

There are two buckets of money when dealing with public school district budgets, M&O and I&S.

It is a fact that this bond program will be funded at the current I&S tax rate of $0.50, which is the maximum allowed tax rate on the I&S side. The taxable assessed values in Argyle ISD have risen significantly over the years due to the growth of new homes and businesses, therefore, bonds will be funded with the existing tax rate. 

Argyle ISD is committed to transparency—there are no hidden costs in this bond package. School districts experiencing significant growth, like Argyle ISD, often reach the $0.50 maximum Interest & Sinking (I&S) tax rate to fund the construction of new schools and infrastructure. Once a district reaches the $0.50 cap, it may remain at that rate longer as long as growth continues and additional schools are needed. However, once growth slows and new bonds are no longer needed, the district’s tax I&S rate may begin to reduce. The tax rate cannot exceed $0.50 for bond debt repayment, meaning there is a built-in limit to what taxpayers can be asked to fund. This ensures predictability and accountability in school funding.

While many homeowners in our area are paying more in local property taxes, it is because the values of the individual homes are rising, not because the tax rate has increased. The increasing values of homes in our area are set and controlled by the appraisal district, not Argyle ISD.

The M&O bucket of the district’s budget is based on an amount per student, regardless of the amount of local property taxes paid. This is state law. For districts’ operating expenses, when more money is collected locally through property taxes, the state share decreases. Linked here is a video that explains the state’s share and the local district’s share of funding school districts. 

Use this Tax Rate Calculator to see how it will not impact your tax rate. 

No. If you have applied for and received the age 65 and older exemption on your homestead, by law, your school taxes cannot be raised above their frozen level.

Per HB 3 amended Section 45.003, the State of Texas requires all bond propositions to include the statement “This is a property tax increase,” even though we can project the I&S tax rate will remain at $0.50 for this bond authorization. State law does not give districts the discretion to change any ballot language, regardless of the tax rate impact.

There are two buckets of money when dealing with public school district budgets, M&O and I&S.

It is a fact that this bond program will be funded at the current I&S tax rate of $0.50. The taxable assessed values in Argyle ISD have risen significantly over the years due to the growth of new homes and businesses, therefore, bonds will be funded with the existing tax rate. 

While many homeowners in our area are paying more in local property taxes, it is because the values of the individual homes are rising, not because the tax rate has increased. The increasing values of homes in our area are set and controlled by the appraisal district, not Argyle ISD.

The M&O bucket of the district’s budget is based on an amount per student, regardless of the amount of local property taxes paid. This is state law. For districts’ operating expenses, when more money is collected locally through property taxes, the state share decreases. 

Linked here is a video that explains the state’s share and the local district’s share of funding school districts.