During an Aug. 18 regular district meeting, PfISD Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Land presented the board with two new bond package options that would bring the total cost to between $323.68 million and $367.6 million.
The board voted unanimously to approve a bond package with six propositions that maxes out at $367.6 million.
The first option would have contained five propositions that included $54 million for devices, network security and infrastructure; $3 million for performing arts renovations and upgrades; $400,000 for stadium renovations and upgrades; and $76 million for a career and technology education center.
The second option includes the aforementioned additions but also adds $43.92 million for teacher housing.
Land said the housing proposition came from Superintendent Doug Killian and would serve to facilitate up to 100 units on 6-10 acres, and would be available only for teachers.
"This is not a new idea; it's just a new idea for this part of the state," Killian said regarding the housing proposition. "We need to attract good teachers to our district and our area."
Killian said the selection process for who would live in the housing brings an added component to the proposition, and officials will figure that out at a later date.
The district's Citizens Facilities Advisory Committee presented the initial bond proposal, or Proposition C, to the board during an Aug. 4 budget workshop.
The $190.28 million total for Proposition C addresses safety and security, aging conditions and includes:
- districtwide safety and security upgrades: $9.65 million;
- purchase of land for future projects: $21.5 million;
- elementary school additions and renovations: $30 million;
- HVAC and mechanical needs: $68.8 million;
- capital improvement projects: $56.8 million;
- Weiss High School weight room: $2.5 million;
- Connally High School sports washer and dryer: $35,000;
- performance lighting upgrades at select elementary schools: $450,000; and
- Park Crest Middle School scoreboards: $45,000.
Land said the bond package will not add to the district's proposed tax rate of $1.2646 for the 2022-23 school year, and therefore will not affect property taxes.
