Houston ISD voters support school bonds without tax increases

As the Houston Independent School District approaches the $4.4 billion bond election, a new Kinder Institute survey shows that a majority of HISD voters generally support it as long as it doesn't increase taxes.

By the numbers: Support for the bond remained unchanged from January, when the Kinder Institute conducted a similar poll.

• When surveyed in July and August, 76% of in-district respondents signaled their support for a school bond that does not result in a tax increase. The poll did not specifically ask about the district's bond proposal.
• This survey was conducted with the same 7,500 Harris County residents as in January.

Catch up quick: The HISD Board of Managers approved a $4.4 billion bond proposal this month, marking the district's first bond election since 2012.

• Proposition A would allocate $3.96 billion for new buildings, renovations, and safety and security infrastructure. Proposition B seeks $440 million for technology equipment, systems and infrastructure.
• If voters approve both proposals in November, it will be the largest bond in Texas history.
• HISD says the bond wouldn't come with a tax increase because debt service payments would replace current debt payments.

What they're saying: "School bonds tend to be popular, and this appears to be the case for Houston ISD, despite it being a year of transition for the district," said Kori Stroub, associate director of research for the Kinder Institute's Houston Education Research Consortium.