Strategic Partnerships, Inc.
Strategic Partnerships, Inc.
The City of Wilmer is hopeful its residents in the DISD will vote against the bond issue. If approved, DISD would re-open a school north of where the Wilmer-Hutchins ISD once operated. If the vote is rejected, however, in two years Wilmer-Hutchins would be able to re-open its school district.
Another high-dollar bond issue to be decided Saturday is in the Austin ISD, where voters will decide the fate of three different propositions with a combined value of $343.7 million. The district is not taking a chance on the bond issue failing because of opposition to one part of the issue and thus broke the referendum into three proposals: new construction, district-wide renovation and technology equipment and systems - $187.8 million; health, safety, security and environmental improvements - $73.9 million; and a performing arts center, fine arts programs and classroom additions and land for a new high school - $82 million.
Voters in the Humble ISD will vote on a $244.9 million bond issue that includes $96.4 million for new campuses, $52 million in campus improvements, $72 million for new and existing administration and support facilities and $23.5 million for technology.
Klein ISD voters will decide if $38 million in technology expenditures as part of an overall $646.9 million bond issue should pass. New schools, renovations and new buses are also part of the bond issue. The Klein issue is not without controversy either. Even though one of the district's elementary schools built for a capacity of 800-850 students now has enrollment of more than 1,000, some in the district wanted school officials to wait a while before calling the election so that more study could go into the bond needs.
Public schools aren't the only bond issues to be decided Saturday. There are also municipal bond elections and community college district votes.
The city of Fort Worth is seeking $150 million in bonds for street improvements, but some in the city are wondering where previous bond money was spent and are somewhat reluctant to pass another bond. And then there's also the economy issue that is plaguing most government entities in the state.
In the world of community colleges, a couple of bond elections in the Houston area will be decided. San Jacinto College will put a $295 million bond referendum on the ballot. Like most community colleges, San Jac has aging facilities that need repairs and upgrades while new facilities must be built to meet the increasing student population needs. This bond election calls for construction of a new science and allied medical and health buildings and a workforce training center. Updates will be in line for vocational technical programs, libraries and physical education facilities.
Lone Star College (formerly North Harris Montgomery Community College) is asking voters to approve a $420 million bond issue. The bond proposal includes new buildings on each of the college's five campuses, upgrades to infrastructure such as plumbing and parking garages and the addition of several new satellite centers. The totals by campus are: $95.5 million for Lone Star College-CyFair; $78.3 million for Lone Star College-Montgomery; $61.8 million for Lone Star College-North Harris; $57.7 million for Lone Star College-Kingwood; $44.6 million for Lone Star College-Tomball; and $22.8 million for a second University Center, where students can earn bachelor's and advanced degrees through a partnership with six Texas universities.
Supporters of a record $111.9 million bond issue in the Edinburg Consolidated ISD are distributing handbills at every school function encouraging a "yes" vote for the bonds. It's been nine years since voters in the district approved a bond issue and supporters this time want to make sure voters are informed of the importance of the bonds.
TGI will carry a comprehensive list of school bond results from Saturday's elections in next week's edition.