The details
HISD Superintendent Mike Miles gave board managers an overview of the proposed spending during a May 1 budget workshop. Miles said the projects would be completed at campuses where repairs are most urgently needed after voters failed to approve the district’s roughly $4.4 billion bond election in November.
“The fact that the bond didn't pass doesn't mean we still don't have aging infrastructure,” Miles said. “In fact, it's getting worse as we talk.”
To pay for the projects, Miles said the district will ask board managers to approve a maintenance tax note, which essentially serves as a low-interest loan that doesn’t require voter approval.
While Miles said the repairs will bring relief to the affected campuses, he noted the projects wouldn't come close to addressing the roughly $12.3 billion in repair projects he said are needed throughout the district over the next 10 years.
Some context
In November, roughly 58% of voters within HISD’s boundaries voted against both propositions included in the district’s $4.4 billion bond.
In addition to several campus replacements and renovation projects, the bond would have allocated $1.35 billion toward health and safety improvements that would have been used to address HVAC repairs and needs.
HISD’s most recent bond—approved in 2012—was a $1.9 billion package backed by roughly two-thirds of voters. However, officials said the projects included in that bond mostly addressed needs at high school campuses.
A closer look
According to budget documents, either HVAC or roofing repairs will be completed at 36 campuses, with some campuses receiving both.
Miles said the proposed HVAC repairs will create safer learning environments at campuses where students were sometimes required to learn in classrooms that were too hot during the summer and too cold during the winter.
“The most important need is heating and cooling,” Miles said. “I think everyone can agree on that.”
If board managers approve the maintenance tax note, Miles said the projects are expected to begin in July and be completed by April 2026.
Miles said the district would likely seek another bond referendum in the future to address the rest of the district’s maintenance needs. However, he said there's currently no timeline for when that might occur.
“It’s not just the [$12.3] billion in [infrastructure repair needs],” Miles said. “Every day, it grows, so at some point in time ... the board and the community will need to talk about another bond.”
