“At this point you’re now at the moment where you have to make the ultimate decision of: do you call for an election or not?” said Tim Savoy, HCISD director of communications and the leader of the facilities and bond oversight committee, which created the recommendations for the board to vote on.
By far the most expensive piece of the bond is the $137.48 million Proposition A: Accommodating School District Growth. In addition to the $47.66 million expansion of all six middle schools in the district, Proposition A includes $35.86 million for a new elementary school and smaller sums for the renovation and expansion of Live Oak Academy, elementary school expansions and other items.
See a full list of projects in the election order on the district website.
Five of the propositions were approved unanimously—all of them except Proposition C, which would authorize over $12 million to increase capacity at the Johnson High School and Lehman High School stadiums as well as some repairs at Lehman.
"I understand the goals, and I do see this plan as something that could work well in this district and positively serve our students, but I believe that we have to be mindful as a governing body as to how much we ask of taxpayers,” trustee Will McManus said before voting against the proposition. “For me personally, this is just too much to ask.”
McManus was not alone in his opposition—trustees Willie Tenorio and Michael Sánchez also voted no.
Trustee Vanessa Petrea said that she was voting in favor of Proposition C because she wanted the voters to have a choice.
“I will be voting yes because I think the voters can make an informed decision on their own," Petrea said. "And if they don’t want this, then they can vote 'no.'”
Three Hays CISD board seats are also up in the May election. Tobias will not run for re-election, but Willie Tenorio and Petrea have filed to be on the ballot.
More information on the bond and updates can be found at www.hayscisd.net/bond2020.
Correction: This article has been corrected to reflect that trustee Willie Tenorio voted against Proposition C, and trustee Teresa Tobias voted in favor.
