A multimillion-dollar bond for school improvements and infrastructure projects is now in the hands of Georgetown voters.

On Aug. 17 the Georgetown ISD board of trustees unanimously called for a $160.6 million bond election that would pay for new campuses and plan for future growth. Voters can cast a ballot for or against the entire package during the Nov. 3 election.

The school board put 12 projects on the bond ticket, including replacing Purl Elementary School, turning Williams Elementary School into an administrative building, and completing a fourth middle school. Nearly $28 million in 2010 bond funds were dedicated for the design and planning of the building, and if the November bond is approved, nearly $27 million wound fund its construction.

Other projects include $23.4 million for Georgetown High School Phase 2 upgrades and renovations; $1.5 million for campus security; $7.2 million for repairing roofs and parking; $1.2 million to replace the turf at the GISD Athletic Complex; $8.5 million for repairs and replacements to heating, ventilation, air conditioning systems; $4.8 million for land acquisition; $12.7 million for technology and $2 million for buses.

If voters approve the bond, the district's property tax rate could increase by 5-cents. The current property tax rate is $1.398, which the school board also approved Aug. 17. The owner of a home valued at $100,000 would see a $43 increase in taxes for the 2016-17 year, which the district calculated using the current homestead exemption of $15,000. The owner of a home valued at $400,000 could see a $193 increase.

The $160.6 million bond is the largest in the school district’s history, according to district officials. Previously voters approved bonds in 2005 and 2010 for $97.08 million and $137.3 million respectively.

The board began considering a possible election this spring when it created a citizen's advisory committee. The committee recommended the board call for a bond election during a special meeting Aug. 3. Several members of the citizen’s advisory committee made up of teachers, parents and community leaders made the recommendation to the board. The entire 35-member group met six times to discuss proposed projects since March.