Fact brief: Can Texas school districts use voter-approved bonds for budget deficits?

Texas school districts can only use voter-approved bonds to pay for construction projects, purchasing land, school buses, security upgrades and technology.

Bonds cannot be used for general recurring operating expenses such as utilities, supplies and salaries.

State law requires school districts to ask voters for permission to sell bonds to investors to raise funds to pay for the construction of a new school or renovations at an existing campus.

The state requires school districts to separate bond propositions for projects related to athletics, recreational facilities, performing arts buildings, teacher housing and technology.

Projects related to the construction, acquisition and equipment of school buildings, including buses and land, may be considered in a single proposition.