Bond proposals can often be confusing for voters, so let’s take a moment to discuss what bond funds can (and cannot) be used for:

Generally speaking, a bond is the mechanism by which school districts pay for large-scale projects, including new facilities and major renovations. All bond proposals are approved by the state only for a set scope of projects and nothing more. Once a bond proposal is passed, the school district sells one or more bonds in the authorized amount and uses those funds to pay for only the projects listed in the proposal.

In this way, bonds are not unlike a mortgage on a home as they are typically paid off over the course of many years. Just as most homebuyers cannot afford to buy a home outright, the vast majority of school districts fund new and renovated facilities using bonds.

Bond funds can only be used for new construction, additions, renovations, energy conservation improvements, land purchases, bus purchases, site development, debt refunding and direct bond program costs (professional fees, audit fees, etc.)

Bond funds cannot be used for employee salaries or employee compensation of any kind. In addition, bond funds cannot be used for operating costs including the costs for repair and maintenance.