A LOOK AT BELLVILLE ISD’S 2021 BOND ELECTION

  

Voters in Bellville ISD have one last day to decide upon two school district bond propositions.

Election Day is tomorrow (Tuesday) for the bond proposals, which total $112.4 million.  The first proposition would fund the construction of a new high school and various renovations to current facilities, while the second would provide for a sports complex at the new high school.

Proposition A, valued at $104.6 million, would allow for the construction of a 208,000 square-foot high school built for 800 students and designed for 1,000.  It would also fund roof, HVAC and window replacements at existing campuses.

Superintendent Dr. Nicole Poenitzsch says collaborative learning opportunities are a strong driver behind many of the proposed academic improvements.

 

If Proposition A passes, Bellville Junior High School students grades 6-8 would shift to the current high school campus.  Third graders from O’Bryant Primary School, along with fourth and fifth graders at O’Bryant Intermediate School, would move to the junior high school.  O’Bryant Intermediate would be demolished and used for parking for O’Bryant Primary, but the O’Bryant Intermediate gymnasium would remain.  O’Bryant Primary would house pre-kindergarten through second grade students.  West End Elementary School in Industry would continue to serve kindergarten through fifth grade students in that area of Bellville ISD.

Proposition B is for $7.8 million and would fund a new sports complex that includes facilities for baseball, softball and tennis with restrooms and concessions.  Dr. Poenitzsch says the second proposal addresses facility needs for the three sports programs and accommodates growth.

 

Previous bond proposals for a new high school in 2002 and 2003 failed, but voters did pass bonds to add onto campuses for $17.8 million in 2004 and $3.7 million in 2007.

If both bond proposals pass, Dr. Poenitzsch says there will be a 22 cent increase in the school district’s tax rate, 20 cents for Proposition A and 2 cents for Proposition B.  The estimated tax impact on the average household valued at approximately $200,000 would come out to about $32 a month, or $385 a year, if both pass.

Opponents of the bond argue that the cost of the bond proposals is too high.  Dr. Poenitzsch said the district has been “very mindful” when looking at what the best investment is for its future long-term.  She added that if the proposals pass, they would meet the district’s program and capacity needs “for the foreseeable future.”

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. tomorrow at several locations.  Precinct 1 voters can vote at Fuchs Hall at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Bellville.  Voters in Precincts 205, 206 and 207 can go to the Sens Activity Center in Bellville, while voters in Precincts 208, 209, 210 and 211 will go to the Industry City Building.  The designated location for Precinct 3 voters is the W.E. Hill Community Center in Sealy.  For voters in Precinct 415, they can go to the Wallis Columbus Club Hall, while voting in Precincts 416, 417 and 418 will be done at the Sealy American Legion Post 442.

More information on the bond is available at www.bellvilleisd.org.