Examining the McAllen ISD Bond Proposition A

Why I’m Voting NO on Prop A

Heads up McAllen neighbor, heads up McAllen ISD taxpayer. Here comes another bond election asking you for permission to borrow and pay interest on a lot of money for expenses I believe should be budgeted smarter and prioritized based on urgency.

McISD is putting voters on final approach toward another bond vote on May 2nd. This time the request is for $335 million in new debt. Pay attention to the dates: April 20 will be the first day of early voting. Buyer beware — you are the buyer whether you vote or not. If you pay taxes in McAllen, you are the buyer and payer of any new debt.

Are School Funds Being Managed Wisely?

Ask yourself, are trustees properly managing our money for schools? The “revenue” at McAllen ISD is over $278 million dollars annually. McAllen ISD leaders say they need to borrow hundreds of millions of dollars to buy new AC systems, make repairs, acquire learning facilities and many other items.

McAllen ISD budgets over $21 million annually for maintenance and plant expenses. How are they spending our money? Are they making smart purchases? Are they getting the most value for our over-taxed buck?

You and I are forced to make smart purchases and trim our budgets at home and at our businesses. Why should we expect any less from McAllen ISD?

The Cost of Debt

The McAllen ISD annual debt service is $18 million. That is $18 million dollars in debt payments each year. That amount is more than what is allocated at McAllen ISD for security and monitoring, more than career counseling for students, and several other services combined.

I look forward to the day McAllen ISD pays its debt. At that point, they would have $18 million annually available to budget for A/C systems and repairs instead of paying financiers.

Taxpayers and Financial Responsibility

You and I, the taxpayers, don’t have a guaranteed income that provides for our food, bills, and necessities. If we live outside our means and finance everything we want, we will get in trouble.

If we mismanage our budgets, bills go unpaid and our lifestyles must change. Life forces us to scrutinize what we need versus what we want, make necessary cuts, and prioritize spending at home and in our businesses.

The Role of Government Spending

McAllen ISD will get paid every year from property taxes and the number of students enrolled in schools. The difficult truth is that taxpayers either pay those taxes or risk losing their land. In the end, it can feel more like rent to the state.

The bureaucratic mindset that manages public funds based on guaranteed revenue must change. Voting “no” on the $335 million bond and forcing leaders to reconsider their numbers could be a start.

Final Thoughts

I believe the current annual budget McAllen ISD receives from taxpayers is more than enough to provide for teachers and schools. However, leaders must do a better job budgeting, purchasing wisely, and prioritizing repairs.

While taxpayers must live within their means and limit borrowing to real emergencies, governments often continue borrowing to satisfy competing demands. In many cases, emotional appeals involving children and the community’s future are used to justify more spending.

I urge McAllen ISD taxpayers to stay informed and vigilant. The school system is a major employer with many businesses that could benefit from the large amount of borrowed funds being proposed.

McAllen ISD leaders can and must do better with the wealth they already collect from taxpayers.

I am voting “NO” on the May 2 McAllen ISD bond. I plan to be there on the first day of early voting on April 20, and I hope many of our neighbors will participate as well.

Ray Norton
McAllen resident and taxpayer