Representatives from Cy-Fair ISD’s
long-range planning committee presented their final recommendation for a potential $1.762 billion bond referendum Feb. 4 to the board of trustees. The total was broken down into the following categories:
Instructional and support facilities: $258,208,345
Safety and security: $207,656,706
Transportation: $88,162,655
Technology: $238,980,763
Facility renovations and additions: $968,991,531
The board will consider calling a bond election for May 4 at the Feb. 11 regularly scheduled meeting, which will include time for public comments at 6 p.m. at the Instructional Support Center, 10300 Jones Road, Houston.
Starting in 2021, the interest and sinking tax rate would incrementally increase by about 0.6 cents each year until 2025, when the total increase reaches 3 cents, Chief Financial Officer Stuart Snow said. This would not affect homeowners over the age of 65.
By 2025, a homeowner with a $200,000 appraised home would pay $40.50 more than they are paying in 2019 property taxes, he said. With no tax increase, the bond scope would be about $1.35 billion, according to officials.
The following new construction projects were included in the plan presented Feb. 4:
- Elementary School No. 59 in the far southwest corner of the district
- Middle School No. 20 at Bridgeland High School complex
- Performing Arts Center with seating capacity for 1,500
- Maintenance Storage Facility on Perry Road
- Instructional Support Center for additional office and meeting space
The committee—a group of about 50 parents, students, district staff, business leaders and community members—convened nine times from November through January to discuss projects that should be included in the recommendation to meet district needs through 2025.
Should the board choose to move forward with the election, informational meetings will be held throughout the community from Feb. 20-May 3, according to the district.
The district last passed a bond in May 2014. The
$1.2 billion bond package included funding for three new elementary schools, one new middle school, a new natatorium at Pridgeon Stadium, $55.3 million in security upgrades, new school buses to accommodate growth, technology infrastructure upgrades and several campus renovations.
