School bonds

IDEA Public Schools maintained its A-minus rating with a negative outlook after a settlement was reached putting the charter school system under increased state oversight.

This spring brings a bevy of school referendums in the Midwest. With inflation and property tax fatigue, voters may be increasingly reluctant to say yes.

Under a settlement agreement, the Texas Education Agency assigned two conservators to oversee IDEA Public Schools, which was the target of a probe into alleged financial and operational improprieties.

U of I's plans to issue debt ahead of the expiration of a non-binding agreement in May were challenged by a state high court decision to hear an appeal and an Idaho House of Representatives resolution.

The San Diego Community College District is among those joining the trend of buying back bonds in a tender to refund for savings.

Texas bond volume climbed 22.5% to lead the nation in a year when issuance in the eight-state Southwest region increased by only 0.6%.

The number of distressed charter schools rose to a record in the beginning of 2024 as the sector struggles with the end of pandemic assistance and rising costs.

The governor proposed state funding for schools to slow the rise in property taxes. His Idaho Works program would provide $50 million toward $800 million in bonds to pay for water and transportation projects.

Three districts are under Washington's state fiscal oversight and the largest, Marysville School District, took a multi-notch Moody's bond rating downgrade.

Municipal bond issuance in the Lone Star State totaled $59 billion in 2023, spurred by utility rate securitizations and school bonds.