Lamar CISD Board Lowers Tax Rate, Moves Forward on $2 Billion Bond Plan and Legacy Scholarship
The Lamar Consolidated Independent School District (Lamar CISD) Board of Trustees met for its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 to address a series of major district decisions with long-term financial and strategic impact. The session, held at 6:30 p.m., included key actions on the district tax rate, a proposed bond package nearing $2 billion, and the establishment of a 25-year legacy scholarship.
Board Proposes Lower Tax Rate for 2025–2026
Trustees voted unanimously to publish a proposed tax rate of $1.1337 for the 2025–2026 school year—a decrease from last year’s $1.1469 rate. The proposed rate includes $0.6537 for maintenance and operations and $0.4800 for debt service, with no change to the latter. Officials emphasized that this continues the district’s multi-year trend of tax rate reductions.
The public hearing and final vote on the budget and tax rate will take place at the next regular board meeting on June 17, 2025.
“We are lowering the tax rate again,” confirmed Chief Financial Officer Lisa Ludwig. “And we’ve been consistently decreasing the tax rate year after year."
$2 Billion Bond Proposal in Development
The board reviewed a preliminary $2 billion bond package, including plans for seven new elementary schools, a new high school campus, and the relocation of the Terry High School complex to accommodate growth in southern Fort Bend County. Additional items under consideration include fine arts facility expansions, transportation upgrades, and a significant investment in student technology.
- Prop A: $1.94 billion for school construction and infrastructure
- Prop B: $54.8 million to achieve a 1:1 student-to-device ratio for grades 3–12
District leaders noted that if the bond is approved by voters in November, the tax rate will not increase, due to conservative financial modeling and phased bond sales.
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A citizens bond advisory committee will meet June 10 to review the full package and provide community feedback ahead of a potential board vote in August to call for a bond election.
Board Establishes 25-Year Legacy Scholarship
Using its $25,000 award from the 2025 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards, the Board approved creation of the LCISD School Board H-E-B Legacy Scholarship. The policy ensures one graduating senior annually through 2048will receive a $1,000 scholarship, with preference given to students in Career and Technical Education (CTE), performing arts, or nontraditional programs.
A committee of board members will evaluate applicants based on qualities such as academic growth, perseverance, and community involvement—not just GPA or class rank.
Cell Phone Ban Proposed for Grades PreK–8
The Board reviewed a proposed update to the Student Code of Conduct that would implement a strict cell phone ban for students in grades PreK through 8, aligning with pending state legislation. If adopted in June, all devices would be required to remain off and stored during the school day, with exceptions only for medical or emergency needs.
Currently, most Lamar CISD elementary and middle schools already follow a no-phone policy, but this revision would remove any principal or teacher discretion across all campuses.
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Next Steps for the Public
- Public Budget Hearing: Tuesday, June 17, 2025
- Citizens Bond Committee Meeting: June 10, 2025
- Potential Bond Election Vote by Trustees: August 13, 2025
Community members are encouraged to stay engaged as Lamar CISD finalizes its 2025–2026 budget and bond plans. The public hearing on the proposed budget and tax rate will take place during the next board meeting on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at the Lamar CISD Administration Building.
Those interested in the bond development process can also follow updates from the Citizens Bond Advisory Committee, which convenes on June 10, 2025. Agendas and livestream links are available at LCISD.org, and residents may attend meetings in person or submit public comments online.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
