The $166 million school bond package will be split into two propositions to fund new elementary schools, renovations in current facilities, security and safety, and technology, among other projects. The bond will appear on the November ballot, and it carries no tax increase.
If approved, the first proposition will provide $150.5 million for 12 district projects including:
- Two new elementary schools and the expansion of Ford Elementary School-$74 million
- Repair and replacement of aging infrastructure-$19.5 million
- Athletic upgrades-$14.5 million
- Land acquisition for future campuses-$10.6 million
- Safety and security-$9.1 million
- Technology upgrades-$6 million
- Renovations at Forbes Middle School and East View High School-$4.9 million
- Upgrades for the performing arts center and fine arts-$4.3 million
- New buses-$2.1 million
- Plan and design a new middle school-$2 million
- Plan and design a new Career Technical Education center-$2 million
- Future-ready learning classroom experience-$1.5 million
The second proposition for $15.5 million would fund a GISD-dedicated swimming facility to help the district grow in that sport. The new swim facility is being treated as a separate proposition due to survey results that said it was only about 46 percent favorable.
The Citizens Advisory Committee made recommendations to the board Monday. The board accepted the recommendation without changes.
“Our belief is that community engagement enhances the experience of students. I'm proud of the willingness of the 70-plus member CAC committee to serve and secure the instructional future of our students,” GISD Superintendent Fred Brent said. “They spent the last seven months thoroughly reviewing facility and equipment needs across the district, surveying our community and made an impressive presentation to the board.”
GISD’s most recent bond election took place in 2015 which included the construction of Wagner Middle School and Purl Elementary School, technology upgrades, secure entrances, new athletic turf, and bus and land acquisitions. That bond was for $160.6 million.
