Friendswood, TX – As the November 4, 2025, general election approaches, residents of the Friendswood Independent School District (FISD) face a significant decision on four bond propositions totaling $165 million in principal debt. Located primarily in the city of Friendswood—a suburban community in Galveston County, Texas, with a small portion extending into neighboring Brazoria County—FISD serves approximately 6,210 students across pre-K through 12th grade in one of the state’s top-rated districts.
Under the leadership of Superintendent Thad Roher, who has risen through the ranks from assistant principal to deputy superintendent before assuming his current role, the district emphasizes academic excellence, with 76% of students proficient in reading and 71% in math based on recent state assessments.
This bond package, unanimously called by the FISD Board of Trustees on August 11, 2025, marks the district’s next major debt issuance since the $127 million bond approved in 2020.
While the district’s bond promotion materials outline the intended uses for these funds, they often omit the full financial picture, including interest costs that could nearly double the total repayment burden. Drawing on analysis from the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) and district Voter Information Documents (VIDs), this report breaks down each proposition, highlights the complete costs, and provides context on potential tax impacts to empower voters.
The Propositions at a Glance
FISD’s proposals stem from recommendations by the district’s Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC), which met six times earlier this year to assess facility needs amid steady enrollment growth and aging infrastructure.
The committee prioritized projects like campus replacements and technology upgrades to accommodate projected increases, such as a 27-student rise in agriculture exploration programs at Friendswood Junior High for the 2025-26 school year.
Here’s a detailed look:
- Proposition A: $154,750,000 for Facility Construction and Renovations
This flagship measure funds a new Westwood Elementary and Bales Intermediate replacement campus, renovations at Windsong Elementary, accessible playgrounds, athletic facility upgrades (including locker rooms), an agricultural science center, and new school buses. These improvements address overcrowding and modernization needs in a district known for its strong community involvement and nationally recognized programs like the Academic Decathlon.
Full Cost (per VID): Principal $154,750,000; Estimated Interest $169,533,571; Total Repayment $324,283,571. - Proposition B: $2,000,000 for Classroom Technology
Aimed at equipping students with modern tools, this covers new computers and tablets to enhance digital learning in FISD’s high-performing classrooms.
Full Cost (per VID): Principal $2,000,000; Estimated Interest $496,445; Total Repayment $2,496,445. - Proposition C: $4,250,000 for Recreational Facilities
This targets upgrades to baseball and softball fields, promoting extracurricular opportunities in a district that values well-rounded student development.
Full Cost (per VID): Principal $4,250,000; Estimated Interest $1,054,946; Total Repayment $5,304,946. - Proposition D: $4,000,000 for Refinancing Maintenance Tax Notes
This proposition refinances existing short-term debt, potentially lowering immediate payments but extending the repayment timeline.
Full Cost (per VID): Principal $4,000,000; Estimated Interest $3,572,267; Total Repayment $7,572,268.
These breakdowns, sourced from the district’s VIDs and echoed in TPPF’s review by analysts James Quintero and Daniel Villalva (published September 24, 2025), reveal that promotional summaries fall short by excluding interest estimates—critical details buried in fine print.
In total, the $165 million principal could balloon to $339,657,230 when repaid in full, effectively more than doubling the cost due to interest.
Tax Impact: What It Means for Friendswood Homeowners
Approval of the full package would increase FISD’s interest and sinking (I&S) tax rate by $0.13 per $100 of assessed property value starting in fiscal year 2026-27, according to district documents and CAC projections.
For a home with a taxable value of $450,000—close to the median in Friendswood—this equates to an additional $48.75 per month, or about $585 annually.
Earlier CAC estimates suggested a broader range of $110 to $140 annually per $100,000 valuation, reflecting variability based on final appraisals were revised upward.
This hike comes despite a projected decrease in the overall tax rate to $1.03 per $100 valuation for FY 2025-26 (from $1.04 the prior year), driven by an enrollment bump of 98 students that boosts state funding by over $2.65 million.
The M&O rate, funding daily operations, remains steady at $0.7869, while the I&S portion drops slightly to $0.2431 pre-bond.
If passed, however, the bond debt would reverse that I&S relief, underscoring the trade-off between infrastructure gains and household budgets.
Why Transparency Matters for FISD Voters
Friendswood’s tight-knit community—home to exceptional parent-teacher associations and booster clubs—has long supported FISD’s pursuit of excellence, earning it accolades like the 5th most efficient Texas school district from the Texas Business Coalition.
Yet, as Superintendent Roher noted during July board discussions, finalizing these propositions required balancing urgent needs against fiscal prudence.
Voters deserve unvarnished facts: not just what the bonds will build, but the long-term price tag.
Texas law’s VID requirement is a vital safeguard, offering stakeholders a clear view of debt, taxes, and impacts—tools that helped inform this analysis. As Quintero and Villalva emphasize, armed with this knowledge, Friendswood residents can vote confidently, ensuring investments align with community priorities.
For more on the propositions, visit FISD’s bond page at myfisd.com. Early voting begins October 20, 2025, with polls open through November 4.