The bond election will include funding for Phase 2 of the New Braunfels High School redesign, a competition stadium and track at Long Creek High School, and various other projects throughout the district.
If the May bond remains under $315 million, there will be no increase in the tax rate for taxpayers in the district, according to NBISD.
The backstory
In September, over 80 members that made up the Bond Planning Committee were tasked with considering potential projects to recommend to the board of trustees for a future bond election. The committee was directed to find the future facility, safety, technology and transportation needs in the district. Trustees received a presentation from the committee during a regular meeting Dec. 11.
“There's no facility in the district that is not benefiting from this proposal, and it gives us two high schools to be proud of versus having a brand new one and one that needs lots of help,” Bond Planning Committee Chair Brandon Dietert said.
Based on the recommendation made by the NBISD Bond Planning Committee, the bond would be split into three propositions.
- Proposition A: high school campus major projects, $267 million
- Proposition B: technology, $3 million
- Proposition C: athletic facility projects, $42.5 million
The largest project on the proposed bond is Phase 2 of construction to rebuild NBHS. The $227 million project would include the construction of new academic wings, an auditorium and other fine arts learning spaces, and athletics facilities.
“Honestly, when we first got the [cost of NBHS Phase 2] I thought the committee was going to fall out of their chairs,” Dietert said. “But honestly most of the committee was understanding with the current building environment and that building schools has gotten very expensive.”
Dietert noted that there is an added cost to Phase 2 of NBHS construction due to the school maintaining operations throughout construction. With Phase 1 of the project being funded through the 2021 bond, the total cost of the NBHS replacement campus would be around $330 million.
The committee also recommended upgrades to the outdated Agriculture Barn that was built in 1986 for $2.5 million. Technology and network hardware upgrades are also recommended to be placed on the ballot for $3 million in bond funding.
The proposed bond would also fund the $40 million construction of a 7,000-seat stadium at LCHS. The stadium would also feature an eight-lane competition track, press box, concession and restroom buildings, and upgraded lighting.
Upgrades would also be made to the NBHS stadium, including turf replacement, upgrades to the current press box, and lighting and sound system improvements totaling $2.5 million.
What’s next?
The NBISD board of trustees still has to vote on the proposed $313 million bond that was presented by members of the committee at a future meeting.
“We’d both have two modern up-to-date high schools that students will be able to have quality educational environment. We’re touching on elementary schools with security upgrades, technology upgrades. Every campus is being touched by this bond in one way or another,” NBISD board President Eric Bergquist said.
Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that the LCHS stadium will not also be utilized by NBHS, according to NBISD.
