The Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District will soon get a districtwide makeover after 68 percent of area voters approved a $124.5 million bond proposition during the May 2011 election.

In August 2011, the district sold $92 million worth of bonds to cover the next few years of work. Construction was expected to begin for three of six bid packages. The first three bids include technology upgrades, improvements to athletic fields and tracks at multiple campuses, and repairs or replacements to building roofs.

"The first three packages—our target date is to be complete by the time we open school in August," said Phil Jimerson, GCISD's construction program manager.

The bond program includes every elementary, middle and high school in GCISD. All campuses will be getting new electrical outlets in their classrooms. Some campuses will be getting new surveillance cameras. And all four middle schools will be getting renovated track fields.

Voters have approved bond propositions for the past 24 years, but a record number of votes were cast in last year's GCISD bond election. Jimerson said voters showed their support of the school district by approving the bonds.

For example, the existing service elevator at Colleyville Middle School will be repaired with new parts and the damaged first-floor access door will get a new door and frame.

Construction for the final bid package is estimated to wrap up by August 2015. The $124.5 million bond's estimated tax impact is an increase of 3.93-cent per $100 valuation. That brings the debt-related portion of the GCISD tax rate to just under 29 cents and the total rate to roughly $1.33 per $100 valuation. For an average district homeowner, whose house is valued at $247,205, the bond program will account for an additional $97.20 annually in taxes, or about $8.10 per month. Homeowners approved for a Homestead Exemption will not be affected by the tax increase.

For more information, visit www.gcisdbond2011.com.