VOTERS PASS BURTON ISD BOND MEASURE, REJECT BELLVILLE ISD BOND PROPOSALS
A pair of local school district bond elections had different outcomes Tuesday night.
(courtesy Burton ISD)
In Burton ISD, the school district’s $43.8 million bond issue passed with 485 votes in favor, 331 in opposition. The bond will be used to fund facility upgrades and renovations across the district.
Some of the proposed improvements include new and renovated classrooms; upgrades to the cafeteria, kitchen and fine arts facilities; an enclosed connection for district buildings; a new competition gym and stadium with an 8-lane track; and various site and drainage improvements.
Superintendent Dr. Edna Kennedy said she is thrilled with the community’s response to the bond election and is very optimistic about the district’s future.
Dr. Kennedy said the district will now start putting the project together, including its plan for which parts of the bond come first and how they will be put into phases. She said the district is meeting today (Wednesday) with the architect and construction management firm to begin discussing these plans.
With the bond being passed, the school district estimates that the total tax rate will increase to $1.29 per $100 valuation from the rate of $0.9782 per $100 that was adopted in August. The estimated impact for a taxpayer with an average home value of $200,000 will be $36 per month.
A total of 817 voters participated in the election, 472 during early voting and 345 on Election Day.
Meanwhile, voters rejected Bellville ISD’s two bond proposals, which totaled $112.4 million. The first proposition, valued at $104.6 million, was rejected by a tally of 1,806 votes against and 966 in favor, while the second proposal for $7.8 million had 2,021 votes against, 758 in approval.
Proposition A would have funded the construction of a new high school and various renovations to current facilities, such as roof, HVAC and window replacements. Proposition B would have provided for a sports complex for baseball, softball and tennis at the new high school.
Superintendent Dr. Nicole Poenitzsch admitted she was “disheartened” with the results of the election, but said she still has full faith in the community to support Bellville schools.
Dr. Poenitzsch said a capital improvement committee consisting of local stakeholders will meet today to discuss the outcome of the election and what the district’s plans are moving forward.
Had both proposals passed, the school district’s tax rate was expected to increase by 22 cents. The estimated tax impact on the average household valued at approximately $200,000 would have been about $32 a month, or $385 a year, if both passed.
There were 2,772 votes cast in total for Proposition A, 1,458 during early voting and 1,273 on Election Day. Proposition B had 2,779 votes cast, including 1,463 early votes and 1,275 votes on Tuesday.
The votes against the Bellville ISD bond reflect a concern of 1. building a new high school when the demographic study, paid for by BISD, reflected an increase enrollment of only 35 students for the entire district through the year 2030, and 2. there is great concern that the current facilities have been allowed to deteriorate and made a low priority over the purchase of additional facilities. The overwhelming rejection of this bond does not reflect the community’s lack of concern, but rather a concern with the priorities set by the current board and administration.
The concerns I have heard share a desire to see current structures repaired and renovated and a replacement of the one building whose repair costs exceed replacement cost. Consensus of the nays is that BISD does not need a new high school, but care taken of current responsibilities, which, according to the district’s ‘architectural partner’s’ estimates, can be accomplished for for less than $40,000,000.
That is great news for All of the students, parents, and All citizens of Washington County!
Way to go!