Construction/Bond Issues

In Plano, many register to vote, but few actually do
Bond! Plano City Council member Shep Stahel has run unopposed twice this decade. He routed his only opponent in 2003, the year the city set a modern record for low voter turnout. The following year, turnout fell even lower, to just over 2 percent of registered voters. Consider Mr. Stahel's path as evidence of the indifference that recently has defined Plano's elections. "I used to say on the campaign trail: I'd love it if you vote for me. But even if you don't vote for me, vote for somebody," Mr. Stahel said. The number of registered voters in Plano may have ballooned in the past two decades, but municipal voter turnout has not grown with it. [ View Article ] May 9, 2008, 08:38

Pleasant Grove breaks ground
Pleasant Grove Board of Trustees President Robert Sheppard talks about the rich tradition of the school district during a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday morning.About 200 people were on hand Thursday for a ground-breaking ceremony that celebrated renovations and new construction for Pleasant Grove Independent School District. [ View Article ] May 9, 2008, 07:49

Early votes heavy for Bland ISD, City of Commerce elections
The early voting was heavy for Saturday’s elections in the Bland Independent School District and the City of Commerce, both of which have major bond issues pending. [ View Article ] May 9, 2008, 07:45

Voters head to polls Saturday
Elections on Saturday include a $39 million bond issue in the Hitchcock school district, a referendum on civil service rules in Santa Fe, a sales tax referendum in Clear Lake Shores and numerous city council and school board races. Below is a list of the races and polling places.
[ View Article ] May 9, 2008, 07:45

Ennis: City urges voting on EISD bond package
Without endorsing the Ennis ISD bond included in the May 10 election, the Ennis City Commission approved a resolution encouraging citizens to vote on the proposal. The $48.9 million bond has been called to construct a new Intermediate School and a new Early Childhood Center, and to expand the existing Sixth Grade Center and Travis Elementary. “It pleases me very much that we approve this resolution tonight,” Mayor Pro-tem Bob Taylor said. [ View Article ] May 9, 2008, 07:40

Bond panel comes up with $350 million wish list for Allen schools
An Allen school district bond committee has come up with a list of $350 million in projects deemed "critical" to district operations. That's nearly $100 million more than the district's estimated current bond capacity – the maximum debt the district can undertake. The school board will probably whittle down the list of top priorities – and possibly add a few of its own – before calling a November bond election. The most expensive project deemed critical is a proposed 20,000-seat stadium with a price tag of more than $65 million. "I'm in sticker shock," school board President Victoria Sublette said after hearing the cost of the stadium last week. [ View Article ] May 9, 2008, 07:39

Groundbreaking for Elementary School in WO-C
The West Orange-Cove school district has broken ground on a new elementary school that'll feature ideas recommended by students and staff. The school is going up on Martin Luther King Drive in Pinehurst. Students, staff and others in the community have been meeting with the architect to help with the design. [ View Article ] May 9, 2008, 07:32

As enrollments grow, North Texas school districts seek millions in bonds
Voters in eight North Texas school districts go to the polls Saturday to decide whether to give district officials the authority to issue bonds to pay for new or expanded school facilities -- most to accommodate growing enrollments. The bond requests range from $9 million in the 1,160-student Paradise district in Wise County to $394 million for the 14,274-student Eagle Mountain-Saginaw district in northwest Tarrant County. [ View Article ] May 8, 2008, 08:39

For Texans, a "Proposition 13" moment
Oh, look, it's our friend the postman, bearing to our doorsteps the fragrant tidings of springtime: such as how much we will soon owe the county or the school district in property taxes! It goes with the robins and the roses - the bad news of what property ownership costs in a society that leans heavily, for the satisfaction of public wants, upon the owners of homes and businesses. Which is why I read with more than academic interest my Texas Public Policy Foundation colleague Talmadge Heflin's well-reasoned argument, on the TPPF Web site, for substitution of the sales tax for the exactions of the property tax. [ View Article ] May 8, 2008, 07:57

El Paso: EPISD bond-oversight panel meets
El Paso Independent School District's new bond accountability committee met for the first time Tuesday. The special meeting, which reminded members of their responsibilities and prepared them for their first official gathering next week, came more than three months after the district Board of Trustees established the need for a new committee and approved a charter to guide in the selection of members. [ View Article ] May 8, 2008, 07:45

Lumberton bond issue brings out record early vote tally
Lumberton school board officials on Wednesday confirmed a record 1,632 early votes, possibly prompted by the $28.5 million bond proposal on the ballot. [ View Article ] May 8, 2008, 07:45

Construction for new ag facility at TRHS underway
TRISD Board members along with Valero representatives held a ground breaking ceremony for the new Valero Vocational Agricultural Science Building last Wednesday, April 23. The ceremony began with TRISD Superintendent Mac Johanson giving the opening remarks followed by FFA Vice-President, Amber Jenkins leading the Pledge of Allegiance. [ View Article ] May 8, 2008, 07:39

District officials see bond package crucial for keeping up with growth
Votes cast this week will determine how Lewisville ISD will handle the continued growth in the district. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday for city and bond elections. Early voting concluded Tuesday. The bond election could provide a variety of facilities, improvements and programs for a district that has grown by 35,000 students in about 20 years. [ View Article ] May 7, 2008, 07:50

Humble:Bond bid part of wider financial woes
With the Humble Independent School District staring at the daunting figure of nearly 12,000 additional students flooding into its hallways, classrooms and desks in the next decade, the administration and board of trustees are asking taxpayers to OK a $245 million bond proposal on the May 10 ballot. Additionally, the district is dealing with a $9.9 million operating budget, unpredictable funding from the state to go with the burgeoning enrollment. But Humble ISD is just one of many suburban Houston area districts fending off the three-headed monster of growth, debt and finicky financial help from Austin. [ View Article ] May 7, 2008, 07:50

Beaumont: School expansions have construction business booming
Growing pains in the region's school districts prompted voters to approve $1 billion in new buildings, which in turn has led to growing pains for the people who will build them. [ View Article ] May 7, 2008, 07:45

Construction continues at Huffman ISD
Construction continues to affect the district. This month, the Huffman ISD School Board meeting was held in the cafeteria at Copeland Elementary, due to the renovations at the administration building. “If this doesn’t work well tonight,” said board President Jerry Jones, “we will reconsider our options for next time.” [ View Article ] May 7, 2008, 07:45

Schools look to Saturday's bond election
Local school officials said Tuesday that they were pleased at the number of early voters in their bond election campaigns. Longview Independent School District's board president added that he would work through 7 p.m. Saturday — when election day polls close — to get a $266.9 million bond construction proposal passed. [ View Article ] May 7, 2008, 07:45

$35 million Springtown ISD bond election
If voters say ‘yes’ to $35 million in new taxes May 10, Springtown ISD promises to build a third elementary school, more intermediate and high school classrooms and a long-awaited student events complex. District administrators say the new facilities and renovations are necessary in order to accommodate current students, and to deal future growth expected to take place in much of Parker County. [ View Article ] May 7, 2008, 07:40

Klein ISD bond voting is underway
Early voting is underway for the Klein ISD bond election. Proponents of the bond are saying opponents don't want what's best for the kids, teachers face layoffs if the bond isn't passed, and that Klein ISD faces severe overcrowding if this bond isn't enacted. Actually, opponents of this bond DO agree a bond is needed. What opponents don't agree with is how the school district is allocating the $640 million bond. [ View Article ] May 7, 2008, 07:23

Seguin ISD voters to decide fate of $125 million in bonds
Voters in the Seguin Independent School District will head to the polls Saturday to decide the fate of four bond propositions totaling $125 million. advertisement “In the last 20 years, we've had two bonds that failed, and that put us behind where we need to be now,” said Kim Emard, a member of the Facilities Committee, which made a recommendation on the bond proposals to the school board. [ View Article ] May 6, 2008, 07:46

Klein ISD voters to decide $647 million bond issue for new schools
At Benignus Elementary School in the Klein school district, when it rains, third graders have class on the floor. "We have all 3rd grade students in the portables (buildings). When it's lighting, (we) bring them in for safety issues,” said school Principal Misty Kainer. Constant growth has left Klein ISD needing more space. Supporters say a bond proposal would relieve overcrowding by building five new schools. [ View Article ] May 6, 2008, 07:45

Waco: Editorial: WISD must think long
You might say that the Waco Independent School District has so many facilities needs it doesn’t know where to start. You might also say it has so many immediate needs that it risks overlooking its long-range needs. WISD needs to take the long view as it considers what it might place before voters in a bond issue. Those needs easily could be crowded out simply by addressing what the district needs to get through the next year or two. [ View Article ] May 6, 2008, 07:45

Fredericksburg: About That Bond Issue…
Providing a way around “Robin Hood”, the Fredericksburg Independent School District is proposing a facilities improvement bond package of just over $4 million that voters will have the opportunity to decide as early voting began this week. [ View Article ] May 6, 2008, 07:40

DPISD may vote on high school reform on May 12
The Deer Park Independent School District Board of Trustees will likely vote on the high school schedule change at the May 12 regular workshop, Rhonda Lowe, board president, announced during last Thursday’s workshop. [ View Article ] May 6, 2008, 07:28

Diana Elementary nearly ready for next year
DIANA — A new elementary school building on Texas 154 in the New Diana ISD is on the path to completion for the 2008-09 academic year.The new school will have improved security features, along with 20 classrooms, a cafeteria, library, computer lab, music room, and two drop-off locations, said Superintendent Pat Clark. After the school day starts, the entry doors will be locked, Clark said. Visitors will be buzzed in."The doors will open immediately into the main office," he said. Doors will open from the inside. [ View Article ] May 6, 2008, 06:28

$ 103M Crosby school bond on Saturday ballot
On Saturday, Crosby residents will make their final decision on a school bond for $103,500,000. The proposal would allow for the construction of two new facilities, a middle school and technology center and make improvements at all existing facilities. The proposal also calls for grade realignment, moving 9th graders into the middle school. Bond elections work similar to the financing on a home mortgage. To get the funds necessary for school projects, the district sells bonds to investors. Like a bank, these investors will be repaid the principal and interest over a period of time. [ View Article ] May 5, 2008, 08:31

Hitchcock: Mayors split on bond election
HITCHCOCK — As residents of Hitchcock’s school district head to the polls to vote on a bond referendum, the mayor of Tiki Island said he’s against increasing taxes to fund a $39.98 million bond issue. The Hitchcock mayor, however, said he supports the bond proposal, since the district opted to build a new elementary school in Hitchcock rather than La Marque. “It’s hard to tell which homes on the island are in the district and which are not,” Bergman said. “We took brochures to a convenience store and a real estate office, but we didn’t go door-to-door.” Everts also complained the island is split between Hitchcock and La Marque school districts and said he doesn’t believe Tiki Island schoolchildren attend Hitchcock schools. [ View Article ] May 5, 2008, 08:31

Bond packages an easier sell for growing districts
Carbajal looks at Waco Independent School District's upcoming $172.5 million bond election, he sees a slam dunk. "It's not going to be a hard sell," said Carbajal, a member of the Friends of Waco Schools political action committee. But others warn that districts like Waco ISD with a declining enrollment may face a challenge selling taxpayers on a bond package. With nearly $173 million in bonds, district officials plan to build a new University High School, an elementary school in East Waco and new Bell's Hill and Dean Highland elementary schools. If passed in the May 10 election, the bonds also would fund renovations and new science labs at Waco High School and A.J. Moore Academy, and pay for renovations at every other school in the district. [ View Article ] May 5, 2008, 08:15

Chisum ISD bond supporters form PAC
A group supporting Chisum Independent School District in its quest for voter approval for $10.5 million in bonds has formed a political action committee, Mustang Progress PAC, to put cash behind an all-out push for approval. [ View Article ] May 5, 2008, 07:50

DISD bond supporters say need is undeniable
The last time Dallas ISD sought support for a $1.3 billion bond campaign, in 2002, roughly three of four voters around the city marked their ballots "yes." Officials say the work paid for by that program is both on time and slightly under budget, but few are predicting another lopsided victory May 10, when voters decide the fate of a $1.35 billion bond referendum. [ View Article ] May 5, 2008, 07:50

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