School Districts

School districts encompass a specific geographic area within defined boundaries and are independent of municipal governments. School Districts are geographic entities and single purpose governmental units which operate and provide public educational services at the local level. Districts are created and organized by state legislatures and charged with the administration of public schools within the state. Localized administration and policymaking are more efficient and responsive to community needs by dividing the school system into districts. Several schools are governed together within a contained district area. District boundaries are drawn through a process of annexation and transfer of territory as districts grow, consolidate, or divide. Territory may be detached from one school district and annexed by another by mutual agreement, if the districts receive a valid petition requesting the change. Boundaries for school districts in Texas were formed many years ago, before some of today’s communities even existed. Texas Constitution and state laws provide independent school districts with the power to impose a property tax. Each district has appointed board of trustees to decide on property tax rate and require approval from majority of voters within the district to impose the tax. A district may borrow through a bond, secured by voter approval, which permits the district to build schools, improve facilities, and buy land or school buses. Repayments are made overtime through a special bond tax.