At its November 19 meeting, the SCUC ISD Community Advisory Committee reviewed feedback from the narrowly defeated VATRE, received updated information on the district’s bond capacity, and examined potential stadium renovation and replacement options as part of its ongoing facilities planning process.
Feedback from the recently defeated Voter-Approved Tax Ratification Election (VATRE), updated bond capacity estimates, and potential football stadium upgrades were the primary topics of discussion at the November 19 meeting of the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD (SCUC ISD) Community Advisory Committee (CAC). The meeting was held in the board room of the William Malish Building.
Superintendent of Schools Paige Meloni acknowledged that additional work is needed to help stakeholders better understand how Texas public schools are funded and why the VATRE was necessary for the district. The proposition was narrowly defeated by 98 votes on November 4.
“We have to lock arms with our community,” Meloni said, committing to continued transparency and improved communication moving forward.
Representatives from PBK Architects, the district’s long-range facilities planning and bond advisory firm, shared updated information regarding SCUC ISD’s bonding capacity. PBK reported that the district’s potential bond capacity for a spring 2026 election is approximately $295 million, a notable increase from the $220 million estimate discussed at earlier meetings. The updated figure would allow the district to remain below the statutory maximum Interest & Sinking (I&S) tax rate of $0.50 per $100 of property valuation, a limit that has been in place since 1991.
PBK consultants explained that bonding capacity for Texas school districts is closely tied to the I&S fund, which is the portion of the property tax rate dedicated to repaying voter-approved debt, including both principal and interest. A district may only issue debt that can be serviced within its available I&S rate headroom, defined as the difference between its current I&S rate and the $0.50 maximum.
The committee also reviewed four conceptual options for renovations or replacement of Lehnhoff Stadium, which could be considered as part of a potential 2026 bond package. Options A, B, and C focus on renovations and upgrades, including concourse and facility improvements, new fieldhouses, and the addition of Multi-Purpose Activity Centers (MPACs). These covered facilities would provide protection from extreme Texas weather and could be used for full-contact football practices, marching band rehearsals, physical education classes during inclement weather, and the hosting of band competitions when outdoor fields are not usable.
Option D proposes construction of a new stadium on district-owned property. If recommended by the CAC and approved by voters, the new facility would include approximately 10,000 seats, expanded parking, and the ability to host a wide range of athletic and district events. Cost estimates presented to the committee ranged from $41 million to $76 million for renovation options, and approximately $104 million for a new stadium.
The CAC is scheduled to meet twice more in December before finalizing a recommendation for priority projects the SCUC ISD Board of Trustees. The Board will then determine whether to call a bond election in the spring.
Learn more about the Community Advisory Committee and view the presentation from the November 19 meeting below.