2021 ISD Bond

Thanks to the 84.75% approval of Independence School District voters, the $43 million bond passed on April 6, 2021.

These projects have significantly improved security in our buildings and made us operationally efficient, all while meeting the emerging instructional needs of our students. We continue to make progress towards completing all planned projects.

Completed Projects
  • Secure entries at Blackburn, Bryant, Glendale, Independence Academy, Procter, Santa Fe, Spring Branch, Sycamore Hills, Hanthorn, Mill Creek, Sugar Creek, William Southern, Ott, and Randall
  • Playground upgrades at 17 elementary buildings
  • Luff Elementary parking lot expansion
  • Three Trails secure entry, media center, cafeteria, art classroom addition, Special Education classroom expansion, and gym renovations
  • New middle school storage facilities
  • New Nowlin storage facilities
  • Nowlin new eight-lane track and natural grass football field with parking
  • Updated Pioneer Ridge band and orchestra classrooms
  • Family and Consumer Sciences classrooms renovations at Truman, Van Horn, and William Chrisman
  • Choir rooms, orchestra rooms and auditoriums renovations at Truman, Van Horn, and William Chrisman
  • New softball fields, javelin areas, and tennis courts at Truman and William Chrisman
  • Truman parking lot reorganization
  • Updated Van Horn band and choir classrooms
  • Van Horn new stadium seating, press box, renovated auditorium and stadium turf replacement
Ongoing and Upcoming Projects
  • Korte & Nowlin window replacement
  • Bridger and Nowlin science classrooms renovations
  • Truman Industrial Arts classroom renovation

Bond Updates

Completed Project Gallery

Frequently Asked Questions

How did the ISD select these projects?

The bond projects were identified by a committee made up of patrons, parents, students, teachers and community members through our Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP) process. While the CSIP committee identified more than $100 million in improvements, only the most pressing and impactful projects were selected to be included in this $43 million bond so that it could remain a no tax rate increase bond.

Did this bond issue impact the tax rate?

This was a no tax rate increase bond issue thanks to the fiscal responsibility of the Independence School District. The ISD has saved taxpayers more than $11.6 million since 2011 by refinancing bonds at every opportunity and aggressively paying down existing debt. Thanks to the district’s conservative budgeting and dropping interest rates, we had enough room in our debt service levy to issue bonds to cover the cost of the bond projects with no tax increase. 

If the 2021 bond issue had not passed, taxes would not have decreased.

What is a bond issue?

A bond proposal asks voters to approve the sale of bonds to provide funds for building improvements, construction, and equipment purchases. Bond funds may not be used for operational costs, such as salaries and supplies.