Marion voters to decide on the district’s future this fall
(Seguin) — Facing one of the fastest growth rates among school districts in the San Antonio area, Marion ISD will be turning to its voters this fall to decide on a $60 million bond issue. On Monday, the Marion ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved the calling of a bond election for Nov. 4, 2025.
Marion ISD Superintendent Don Beck says the district will be asking voters to consider a $60 million package that will appear on the ballot as one proposition. That proposition includes a new elementary school, new buses, land acquisition, along with district-wide upgrades.
He says the district, which has been adding about 100 students each year, reached an enrollment of 1,709 students last year — and projections show that number will continue to climb.
“We did a demographics study that shows that we were the 26th largest district in the San Antonio area which that is not really large being the 26th spot but we are the third fastest growing right behind Medina Valley and Castroville based on the numbers the last three years due to the homes that are coming in off of South Santa Clara,” said Dr. Beck.
He says that rapid growth can already be felt at its elementary schools, where they are projected to be at capacity in the next couple of years.
“When you look at the functional capacity of each elementary that we have currently – based on the growth that we have had – looking at the Karrer Campus — particularly where the third through fifth grade students are, they are showing based on the trends of the population growth – that as early as next year, we have the potential of outgrowing that functional capacity of that one campus alone and the primary campus also, looking at that capacity there, that within three years, that one will be reaching its functional capacity – so that we have a way to be able to work through that for the next year or two, we know those two buildings will be hitting those capacity numbers and in looking at that, by building another elementary school, it looks like there will be a little more flexibility. With other students in the future, we would have to move students around — to make things work as we grow,” said Dr. Beck.
Dr. Beck says the bond item of land acquisition is also an important component of addressing the district’s future needs.
“For the elementary school, we do have three sites that are possible to place this particular school on – really four technically. But this information that we are talking about for the land, we are actually trying to look for a piece of property that is large enough for a future middle school. Twenty acres isn’t quite big enough for the things that typically happen at a middle school. So, we will be looking for a piece of property to be able to do that in the future at some point. As the trend shows, we are going to have to put something somewhere else other than this area where all the schools are concentrated right now,” said Dr. Beck.
In addition to new buses, voters, under district-wide upgrades, will be asked to consider the construction of a maintenance and technology building. Those departments are currently operating in either a portable building or in a small section of the Primary Campus.
If the proposition is approved in November, Dr. Beck says the estimated impact would be a $13.02 per month increase for a home valued at $300,000 — the average market value for a home in Marion ISD.
“Impact includes most recent compression and assumes the additional $40,000 homestead exemption is approved by voters in November. The combination of compression and an additional $40,000 on top of the existing $100,000 homestead exemption will cut school property taxes for a homesteaded property. Since 2019, state law requires all bond propositions for any school district to have the phrase “THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE” on all ballot language for bond propositions. If the bond is passed, homeowners 65 years of age and older who have filed for and received the Over 65 exemption will not see an increase over their frozen dollar amount as long as they make no major additions or improvements. Check your most recent Notice of Assessed Value Change to see if your school district taxes will be impacted,” said Dr. Beck.
The decision to call for this bond election, however, did not happen overnight. In fact, Dr. Beck says plenty of work has gone into making sure that the district has identified its priorities, which represent the next phase of the district’s Long-Range Plan.
“Parents, educators, community leaders, and neighbors came together to study the district’s priorities and shape the 2025 bond. Their primary task was to develop and present to the Board of Trustees a long-term plan that included a recommendation for implementation,” said Dr. Beck. “I appreciate the dedication of our board, staff, and community members who have worked diligently to help shape this proposal. This bond represents a thoughtful approach to meeting our district’s growing needs while remaining mindful of our community’s values. We’re committed to sharing clear, accurate information as we move toward election
day.”
The next step for the district will be to further engage Marion ISD taxpayers with the details behind the proposition. Dr. Beck says it is important that the facts are laid out for the voters before early voting and election day.
Early voting runs October 20-31.