Gladewater ISD

A bond is a method used by a school district to borrow funds for the costs of construction, renovations, and equipment. Bonds are repaid over time with interest. School districts in Texas commonly use bonds to finance facilities and capital improvements.

The Gladewater ISD Board of Trustees called a bond election in the amount of $8.1 million. The election will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2026, and will appear as a single proposition on the ballot.

School districts must obtain voter approval before issuing bonds to fund capital projects, including facility improvements and the purchase of school buses. Without voter approval, the district cannot access bond funds for these purposes.

Gladewater ISD can maintain the same tax rate because of increased revenue from growth in the area, rising TAVs (Taxable Assessed Values), and because the Board of Trustees has paid down existing debt. 

The district’s General Operating Budget, funded through the Maintenance and Operations (M&O) tax rate, is used for day-to-day expenses such as salaries, utilities, supplies and routine costs. Gladewater ISD does not tax more than is required to operate, and therefore does not have excess funds on hand for major facilities improvements and equipment purchases. 

On September 15, 2025, the Gladewater ISD Board of Trustees adopted a total tax rate of $1.008536 per $100 of taxable assessed valuation, consisting of:

• $0.7552 for Maintenance and Operations (M&O), used for operating expenses
• $0.253336 for Interest and Sinking (I&S), used to repay voter-approved debt

School district funding includes local property taxes as well as state and federal funding sources.

State law restricts the use of bond funds to capital expenditures and does not allow their use for operating expenses. Bond funds cannot be used for salaries or routine operating expenses such as utilities, supplies, maintenance, fuel, or insurance.

Bond funds may be used for:

• Construction, furniture, buses and renovation of school facilities
• Land acquisition
• Equipment and technology infrastructure related to facilities

The tax rate will remain the same. On Sept. 15, 2025, the Gladewater ISD Board adopted a total combined tax rate of $1.008536 per $100 of taxable assessed valuation. The school district tax rate will not increase if voters approve this bond election. The tax rate will remain the same even if the bond election does not pass.

The tax rate and amount paid are frozen the year a taxpayer turns 65 years of age, as long as they have filed for their “Over-65 Exemption” with their county of residence and no significant improvements are made to the homestead. That means this bond election will not increase taxes for any citizen 65 years of age or older who has filed the exemption. 

The proposal includes the replacement of HVAC units and chillers at Gladewater High School. The district reports that many existing units are approximately 18 years old, and certain equipment at the high school is approximately 27 years old.

The proposal also includes HVAC and chiller replacements at Weldon Elementary, Gladewater Primary and the Administration Building.

The district operates a fleet of buses that are used for student transportation and school-related activities. Some buses in the current fleet are more than 20 years old. Each year, Gladewater ISD buses travel 170,000 miles on average. Many of the buses do not have seat belts and have reached the end of their life cycles.

Texas law, including Senate Bill 546, includes unfunded requirements related to seat belts on school buses.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) includes courses that provide instruction in specific career fields and may include opportunities for industry-based job certifications and practical application of skills.

Residents of Gladewater ISD may vote on Saturday, May 2, if they are registered by Thursday, April 2. Early voting will take place April 20–28. If you will be at least 17 years and 10 months old on the date your voter registration application is submitted, and 18 years old on Election Day, you may also vote.

Voter registration cards are available at all campus offices and the Central Office at 200 East Broadway. You may also download a voter registration form from your county elections office website. NOTE: All forms must be filled out and mailed no later than April 2, 2026. Texas does not have online voter registration.

Current residents of Gladewater ISD, including homeowners and renters,  who are registered to vote by April 2, are eligible. Gladewater ISD serves a broader area than the City of Gladewater, including residents within district boundaries in Gregg, Upshur, and Smith counties.

If you will be at least 17 years and 10 months old on the date your voter registration application is submitted, and 18 years old on Election Day, you may also vote.

Voter registration status can be verified at the Vote Texas website. Voter registration forms can be completed online here as well, but need to be printed and mailed no later than April 2, 2026.

Voters are required to present an acceptable form of identification under Texas law, such as a valid driver’s license or passport.

Early voting by personal appearance is scheduled as follows:

• Monday, April 20: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 21 - Closed for the State Holiday
• Wednesday, April 22 – Friday, April 24: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Monday, April 27 – Tuesday, April 28: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

All voting by personal appearance for Gladewater ISD will take place at Gladewater City Hall, 519 East Broadway, Gladewater, TX 75647.