Magnolia ISD is growing!
While some public school districts across the state are experiencing significant enrollment decline, that is not the case here in Magnolia ISD.
New students continue to enroll in Magnolia ISD each year.
For the 2025-26 school year, MISD is projected to grow 3.2% or 479 students districtwide. As of January 6, 2026, the district has exceeded projections and grown 670 students. Demographic projections show that MISD will continue to grow about 4% each year thereafter.
District Enrollment Projections
Overcrowded High Schools
Demographic projections reveal that despite having a strong facility plan in place, the district will experience overcrowding at the district’s two high schools within the next few years. It takes about four years from the planning phase to complete construction of a new high school. During this time, the costs of construction and materials continue to rise. MISD does not receive facility funding from the state. Citizen committees study enrollment, facilities and make recommendations to the School Board to manage student growth. Only the School Board has the authority to call a bond election.
Strong Housing Market
Magnolia ISD has approximately 1,400 homes in active inventory, roughly 4,500 lots available to build on, and roughly 30,870 planned in the future.
Local growth means more money for schools, right?
Not necessarily.
People see new homes being built and property values grow and believe that public schools benefit from that growth. Unfortunately, property value growth does not benefit Magnolia ISD’s operating budget. In fact, under the current Texas school finance formulas, when property values increase, state funding actually decreases.
New students do generate some additional state funding but only based on good attendance.
The good news is property value growth does positively impact the interest and sinking or debt service side of the budget. Property value growth is one of the primary reasons we have not had to increase our debt service tax rate in the past two bonds elections (2015 and 2022), nor do we anticipate having to increase the tax rate for any bond elections in the near future.
The Costs of Portable Classrooms
Each portable classroom costs MISD taxpayers approximately $110,000. Portable classrooms are temporary and without voter-approved bond funding, MISD would have to pay for portables out of the operating budget which is typically earmarked for daily expenses like salaries, classroom supplies, utilities, insurance and student programs.
Each portable classroom costs MISD taxpayers approximately $110,000.
Delivery Time & Set-Up
It takes an average of 6 weeks for delivery of a portable classroom. Additionally, the district must comply with state standards, which include adding safety and security to these temporary buildings, including phones, internet access, and cabling.