When a school district asks voters to approve a bond or new tax pennies, the conversation usually happens in percentages, rates, and acronyms. Almost nobody votes on a percentage — people vote on what it costs them. This page turns the proposal into a real dollar figure for your home.

Why I built this

I’m currently participating, along with several other residents, in a Leon ISD committee looking at school-facility needs and how to pay for them. It’s not an appointed board — it’s a series of public meetings open to any Leon ISD resident who wants to take part, and turnout so far has been light. Part of that work is being honest about the cost. It’s easy for a district to say “it’s only a few cents” — and easy for voters to assume the worst. Neither helps you decide.

So instead of asking you to trust a number, this tool lets you build the number yourself and check it:

  1. Start with your current bill. Put in your home’s appraised value (from your county appraisal notice). Leon ISD’s current total tax rate — $0.8658 per $100 of value — is already filled in for you. Compare the result to the school line on your actual tax statement. If it matches, you know the calculator is honest — nothing is hidden in the math.
  2. Then see your new bill. The proposed bond and the last 3 golden pennies get added on top, so you get a realistic estimate of the change — in dollars per year and per month.

Where to find your appraised value

You’ll need your home’s appraised value to use the calculator. A few ways to find it:

  • Leon County residents: Look it up free at the Leon Central Appraisal District — leoncad.org. Use the property search and enter your name or street address.
  • Other Texas counties: Search your own county’s appraisal district (for example, “Robertson County CAD property search”), or check your annual appraisal notice or tax statement.

Use the appraised (or market) value — not the “taxable value” — and let the calculator subtract the homestead exemption for you.

District rates
Your home
Current school tax —
New school tax —
Your increase —

This is an estimate for planning purposes only, not an official figure from any taxing entity. Verify exemptions and rates with your appraisal district and school district.

How the numbers work

  • School tax = taxable value × tax rate. Taxable value is your appraised value minus your exemptions.
  • Homestead exemption: For 2026, Texas exempts the first $140,000 of a primary residence’s value from school taxes. The calculator subtracts this when “homestead” is checked.
  • The bond is repaid through the Interest & Sinking (I&S) part of the rate. Leon ISD’s current bond — which runs until roughly 2032 — is already baked into today’s rate, so it shows up automatically when you compute your current bill. The proposed bond stacks on top of that.
  • Golden pennies are part of the Maintenance & Operations (M&O) rate. Leon ISD currently levies 5 of the 8 golden pennies the state allows, and is asking voters to approve the last 3 (3¢ per $100 of taxable value).

If you’re 65 or older, or disabled

Texas freezes school taxes on your homestead at a “ceiling.” Check that box in the calculator and it will show that this election generally does not raise your school taxes — the main exception is if you build improvements or additions onto the home.

This tool is an estimate for planning and education only. It is not an official figure from Leon ISD, the appraisal district, or any taxing entity. Confirm your exemptions and the official rates with your appraisal district and school district.

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