Arlington ISD Bond 2026
Arlington ISD voters passed Propositions A and B for the 2026 Bond election on Saturday, May 2, 2026, demonstrating the community’s commitment to Arlington ISD’s students and schools.
“This is a great day for Arlington ISD,” Superintendent Dr. Matt Smith said. "We are extremely grateful to the families and residents of Arlington ISD who came out to vote. The approval of Propositions A & B in Bond 2026 means we can improve aging facilities and equipment and ensure our students have the exceptional learning environments they deserve for years to come.”
Bond 2026 Projects
New South Davis Elementary School
The 70-year-old South Davis Elementary will be replaced with a new campus down the street from its current location. The new campus site is the former location of the district’s admin building at the corner of Pioneer Parkway and Davis.
New Elementary School
Facility inspections and demographic reports are being used to identify the best school or schools to replace with the new elementary building.
18 PLUSS Center
The bond will build a new 18 PLUSS center, a facility to serve special education students who have completed their high school requirements and are now in a one-to-three-year program that teaches job skills to help them start their careers.The new center will be built on the site of the former Blanton Elementary School.
Elementary School Gym Replacements
New gymnasiums that will also serve as storm shelters will replace smaller gyms at:
- Butler Elementary
- Ditto Elementary
- Wood Elementary
Facility Improvements
The bond will fund upgrades and renovations for essential school building infrastructure, HVAC, roofing, electrical, and plumbing at schools across the district where they are beyond their useful life. The improvements will make schools more efficient and cheaper to operate, saving the district millions of dollars each year that can go back into the classroom.
Kitchen & Cafeteria: Additions and Renovations
- Lamar High School
- Workman Junior High
ADA / Accessibility Improvements
Accessibility improvements will be made across the district.
Life Safety Upgrades
Life safety improvements include new fire sprinkler systems, LED lighting, and ceilings at:
- Lamar High School
- Martin High School
- Sam Houston High School
Classroom Furniture
Classroom desks and chairs need to be replaced every 15 to 25 years, and many across Arlington ISD are past that point. The 2026 Bond will fund the replacement of outdated classroom furniture with modern options better suited to today’s teaching and learning needs, including collaborative learning environments.
Fine Arts Equipment
Arlington is nationally recognized for its fine arts programs, and nearly 73% of K–12 students participate in fine arts programs. The Bond includes funding for new modern fine arts classroom equipment.
Special Education Upgrades
Special education upgrades include:
- Sensory motor lab additions and equipment: 1 per feeder pattern
Career and Technology Education Equipment
Approximately 79% of high school students participate in Career and Technology Education programs, but the district lacks sufficient classroom equipment for all students who wish to participate. The bond will fund the purchase of additional equipment to expand and upgrade course offerings for students and prepare them for college or high-demand jobs.
Safety and Security Upgrades
The 2026 Bond will fund safety and security upgrades, including:
- exterior lighting
- surveillance cameras
- access control systems
- emergency communication systems
- additional metal detectors at junior high and high school campuses.
New School Buses and Vehicles
Arlington ISD transports up to 12,000 students to and from school every day. Buses need to continually be replaced as they reach the end of their useful life. The 2026 Bond will fund:
- 45 new school buses
- 5 Suburbans.
Technology Improvements
Bond News and Videos
New South Davis Elementary schematic design approved by school board Architects incorporate input from students, parents, and teachers in design
August 28, 2026
New South Davis Elementary funded by 2026 Bond The second grader at South Davis Elementary didn’t hesitate when asked what he wants at his future school. “A waterslide,” he said. Last night, the Arlington ISD Board of Trustees approved the schematic design for a new South Davis Elementary School, funded by the 2026 Bond. The…
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Board approves schematic design for future 18 PLUSS Center New facility will be funded by 2026 Bond
August 5, 2026
Arlington ISD’s next school building has been intentionally designed to not look like a school. “We want it to actually look like a corporate learning environment where they’re going to work every day,” said Arlington ISD Superintendent Dr. Matt Smith. That’s the vision for the district’s future 18 PLUSS center, a facility that will serve…
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Arlington ISD voters approve Props A and B Community supports renovations for Arlington ISD
May 3, 2026
Arlington ISD voters passed Propositions A and B for the 2026 Bond election on Saturday as Election Day came to an end. Preliminary results, which will become official on May 12 when the Arlington ISD Board of Trustees canvases the votes, show voters approved Prop A by 59%, and Prop B by 59%. Prop…
Arlington ISD Bond 2026 - 18 PLUSS
Arlington ISD Bond 2026 - Energy Efficient Facilities
Arlington ISD Bond 2026 - Technology
Arlington ISD Bond 2026 - Career and Technical Education
Arlington ISD Bond 2026 - School Buses
Arlington ISD Bond 2026 - Classroom Furniture
Designing the new South Davis Elementary
Bond Election Background
Financial Impact
Tax Rate Impact
The bond projects are funded with a one-cent increase to Arlington ISD’s current tax rate.
That means the estimated impact for an average home valued at approximately $300,000 in Arlington ISD is $1.50 per month, or $18 per year.
No Increase for Seniors
Arlington ISD taxes are frozen for homeowners 65+ with a residence homestead exemption on file with Tarrant County. This bond is not increasing taxes above the frozen amount unless substantial home improvements are made.
Arlington ISD Tax Rate History
Over the past two decades, the district’s tax rate has decreased from $1.74 in 2005-2006 to $1.09 in 2025-2026.
The district has continued to lower its tax rate while paying off voter-approved debt early, resulting in more than $119 million in interest savings through bond refinancing.
Steering Committee
Arlington ISD conducted a comprehensive, independent third-party review of its facilities and infrastructure to identify projects for consideration in the bond proposal. This process included evaluating the Facility Condition Index and capacity of all existing schools, as well as identifying potential improvements across district departments.
The CNSC – made up of parents and non-parents, educators, business owners, civic leaders, and community members – reviewed information related to enrollment trends, facility conditions, projected costs, and potential tax implications for Arlington ISD residents. Ultimately, the CNSC provided recommendations to the Arlington ISD Board of Trustees for facilities and identified capital improvements through 2029 to support the district’s strategic plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a bond package?
Why did Arlington ISD call for a bond?
How was the bond package constructed?
What is included in the May 2026 Arlington ISD Bond?
Why are there multiple propositions in this bond election?
What is the second elementary school that would be replaced by the 2026 Bond proposal?
How can bond funds be used?
What is a bond election and how does Arlington ISD repay its debt?
How are school districts funded?
What happens if the bond does not pass?
Is there a tax rate increase with the bond proposal?
How does this impact 65 and older?
State law mandates all bond materials must state, "THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE." However, eligible senior homeowners will not pay more than their frozen tax amount.
Arlington ISD taxes are frozen for homeowners 65+ who have properly filed for the homestead exemption with Tarrant County. Approval of this bond would not result in an increase above the frozen amount.
When will the election be held?
Registered voters may cast ballots at any polling location in Tarrant County. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day, Saturday, May 2, 2026. Early voting by personal appearance will take place from Monday, April 20, 2026, through Tuesday, April 28, 2026.
Arlington ISD Bond 2026 - South Davis Elementary