The district will propose three propositions in the May election. Proposition A carries the brunt of the cost with $114.9 million and includes most of the funding for facility upgrades, energy and efficiency improvements, and student program enhancements.
Facility upgrades include parking lot repairs; partial roof replacements; outdoor activity surface replacements; and heating, ventilation and air conditioning improvements. Additionally, energy and efficiency funding includes the installation of solar panels campuswide, athletic lighting upgrades and building system enhancements.
The BAC also proposed the improvement of student programs and supports as part of Proposition A. These projects include district technology infrastructure improvements, several fine arts equipment upgrades and transportation upgrades.
Proposition B would allocate $2.41 million to athletic facility upgrades for improvements related to Chaparral Stadium, and Proposition C includes $12.69 million for additional technology upgrades.
The district has not made a full breakdown of these projects by proposition available at the time of this story, but breakdowns of each project category are available in the district’s series of presentations on the bonds available on EISD's website. The full presentation as presented to the school board Jan. 10 is available here.
The bond will not increase the district’s tax rate, which remains at $1.0046 per $100 valuation, district documents show.
“The ballot language, no matter what, says that it’s a tax increase, even though we are not raising taxes. That’s definitely a huge hurdle I just want to put out there, because we really are doing the best we can to conserve our money and spend it wisely. We aren’t going to get any credit for that, and it’s an uphill battle,” Board Member Heather Sheffield said.
The board plans to call the bonds Feb. 7 for the upcoming May 6 election.
