BELLVILLE ISD TO HOLD BOND ELECTION ON MAY 6
Bellville ISD has placed a $49.5 million school bond on the ballot for the upcoming May 6th election.
The bond includes $44.5 million to construct a new junior high on school property in the vicinity of the current campus.
According to the Bellville Times, plans call for the new junior high to be a 133,000 square foot facility and built for 700 students.
Core areas such as the cafeteria and gymnasium would be built for up to 900 students so that when the day comes that they need to expand, those areas would already be equipped to handle the extra students.
The remainder of the bond funds would be used to transition 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students at the O’Bryant Primary and O’Bryant Intermediate Schools to the current junior high, as well as provided renovations and improvements across the district.
Renovations and improvements include HVAC replacement at Bellville High School, HVAC replacement at O’Bryant Primary, and window replacement and restroom additions at West End Elementary in Industry.
If passed, the bond is projected to create a one cent increase on the Bellville ISD interest and sinking tax rate.
It would be far better if the Bellville School Board were to present some justification for a bond issue, rather than simply proposing a bond issue and quoting where the funds were to be spent. The last bond issue that was proposed in 2021 was significantly larger than this latest one, at $112.4 Million. That bond issue proposal included a new high school building, a new sports complex and improvements to existing buildings. That bond proposal was soundly defeated.
Now, 2 yers lster we are facing a $49.5 million bond proposal, citiing building a new junior high school and other improvements to existing buildings.
Here is a quote from an article published by a local television news service broadcasting from Houston, TX, regarding the 2021 school district bond proposal:
“In the Bellville community, a school bond election is at the center of debate.
Aging school buildings, a growing student population and the need for more programs are among the long term issues the school district faces.
“The junior high has a leaking roof, leaking windows,” said a parent and supporter of the 2021 bond. “It does not have the capacity for the lunch time. I’m told they are short 40 lockers this year.”
There are several questionable issues one can extract from this article;
a) The quote; “a growing student population” runs contrary to research I did, prior to the 2021 election. My research cited a forecast loss in the student body population over the next 10 years, of 10% – 20%. The forecast had substantial support based on demographics.
b) The statement made by a ‘parent and supporter of the 2021 bond’ (name withheld by my editing) in no way justifies a new high school building and sports complex. It does indicate a serious lack of effective maintenance on the school districts buildings.
A leaking roof, and windows, coupled with a shortage of lockers is not a justificcation for a new building and sports complex. If anything, it is a call for increased maintenance and repairs of existing structures.
Currently (school year 2021 – 2022), the student population of the Bellville ISD is 2198 students, in 6 school buildings. A simple average is 366.33 students per school. Again, no justification for a 700 student new building, with infrastructure for +900 students. Especially in a school district with a 10 year forecast of a declining student body.
Bellville has a land mass area of 2.68 square miles, with a population of 4206 from the 2020 census.
From just a little research, commentary and overview of the existing facilities of the school district, it is quite evident exactly what is needed; i.e.: significant improvement in maintenance of existing facilities, improvements to existing facilities, and a very much needed overhaul of the school districts outlook on procedural operation of the district.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment,
A concerned citizen and tax payer, resident of Bellville, TX