A proposed workforce building at Collin College’s Celina campus faces funding uncertainty after voters rejected a $600 million bond Nov. 3.

Unofficial results showed 221,774 voters, or 52.48%, opposed Proposition A, while 200,854, or 47.52%, supported it, according to the Farmersville Times. Results remain unofficial until canvassed.

The defeat does not automatically cancel the projects. The college’s bond FAQ says it will explore other legally available funding options, although planned projects could be delayed, modified or completed over a longer period.

Board chair acknowledges loss

Board Chair Jay Saad acknowledged the defeat in a statement posted on the college’s website Nov. 4.

Saad thanked voters for participating and said the college would continue evaluating its priorities, maximizing existing resources and seeking ways to meet student and community needs.

The statement did not provide revised construction schedules or identify replacement funding for individual projects.

What the bond would have funded

The proposal would have financed Phases II and III of Destination 2030, the college’s long-range master plan.

Along with the Celina workforce building, the project list included new campuses in Anna and Royse City, a McKinney Aviation Academy and expansions in McKinney, Farmersville, Wylie, Frisco, Allen and Plano.

The college said the additional facilities would expand capacity in more than 20 career and technical education pathways.

Trustees called the election during their Aug. 7 meeting, according to the college’s FAQ.

Growth pressures remain

Collin College reports serving more than 62,000 students annually, with credit enrollment increasing 31% over the past decade.

Texas community colleges do not receive additional state funding for campus construction or renovations, according to the college’s FAQ. They can finance major improvements through voter-approved general obligation bonds and other authorized methods.

Voters approved the college’s previous $600 million bond in 2017. That package funded campuses in Celina, Farmersville and Wylie, the Technical Campus in Allen and other facilities.

The college says its property tax rate has remained at $0.08122 per $100 of taxable value since 2018. Before the election, officials anticipated keeping that rate unchanged if the bond passed.

The rejected proposal leaves the college to reassess how and when to fund its planned expansion.