The big picture
At a June 26 meeting filled with discussion that went almost into the early morning, CCISD trustees gave the go-ahead for district officials to start seeking public feedback for a potential bond to be used for infrastructure and technology improvements.
A new Facility Advisory Committee, which CCISD officials developed in the spring and tasked with recommending a list of projects, suggested a litany of school upgrades, repairs and equipment, which would total more than $600 million, according to a preliminary report issued by the committee June 12.
District staff pitched a few possible options for splitting the bond across multiple votes. Those options were:
- The entire $614 million on the ballot in November
- $394 million on the ballot in November, with $231 million to be voted on at a later date
- $248 million on the ballot in November, with $379 million to be voted on at a later date
Trustees decided in a 4-3 vote to present constituents with all three options during public feedback.
The specifics
According to the preliminary recommendation, the bond would cover:
- Nearly $553 million for a litany of items, including renovating schools, safety and security, critical infrastructure, and innovation lab additions at all 10 intermediate schools
- $59 million for technology, including student devices, network infrastructure and cybersecurity
- $32 million for athletic and fine arts improvements, including new equipment, band hall renovations, instruments and repairs for the district’s stadiums
The discussion June 26 came after the Texas Legislature “failed” to pass meaningful school funding legislation, Polsen said. Similar to other districts, CCISD could be staring at a shortfall this upcoming year.
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Along with the bond, the board took similar action June 26 to start gathering public feedback on a voter-approved tax ratification election, also known as a VATRE, which would allow the district to raise its tax rate beyond a certain threshold the state sets for them.
What they’re saying
Deciding which options voters should be presented with caused confusion when it came time for trustees to vote, with trustees’ motions getting mixed up.
Trustee Scott Bowen said, like the board, bringing all options to voters would confuse them and create “mixed messaging.” He likened the approach to “choosing from a menu.” Trustee Jamieson Mackay and Board President Arturo Sanchez sided with Bowen.
“I think this has gotten way too complicated,” Bowen said.
Trustee Jessica Cejka said she felt the voters should have a voice in choosing which of the options they want. This was something Trustee Jeff Larson agreed with. Trustees Jay Cunningham and Jonathan Cottrell joined them in the vote.
“I want voters to have as much information as possible,” Larson said.
Looking back
If a bond were to be approved, it would be the third one in the past decade for CCISD. The first came in 2013. The most recent one, in 2017, gave the district $487 million to fund a number of projects.
Some of those projects included:
- Building Campbell Elementary School
- Rebuilding and renovating several campuses
- Improvements at Mossman Elementary and the district’s technology learning center
- Other infrastructural needs
Discussion at the June 26 board meeting was not to approve the bond or call for an election. Instead, it gives district officials the ability to begin seeking public feedback, Polsen said.
District officials plan to hold three public meetings in July and hold a phone survey. That feedback will come back to the board in August, with the potential call for an election coming Aug. 21.
