Humble ISD struggles to get passing grade on debt load, financials

With the school board election quickly coming May 6, many voters are trying to sort out the true financial state of the district.

There are three main factors that determine a district’s financial health: bond history and ratings (outstanding debt), operational efficiency and unfunded future liabilities.
Texas leads the nation in school debt; South Carolina is second. While certainly not the only debt that Texas has, public school bonds account for the largest debt in the state by far. From 2007-2013, Texans incurred a staggering $65 billion in principal bond debt. The Texas Public Policy Foundation says that known interest adds $42 billion to that amount, for a total amassed debt of $108 billion. Then, in 2014, Texans heaped $10 billion to that amount for a total of $75 billion in bond principal – before interest. Nearby Katy ISD voters approved the state’s largest 2014 bond at the mind-numbing amount of nearly $750 million. Districts around the state say the bonds are needed to replace aging facilities and for school security, but some are building more elaborate structures like fine arts centers, natatoriums and career tech centers. Read full article at OurTribune.com