Photo courtesy Cy-Fair ISDRenovations similar to this tentative renovation mockup for Watkins Middle School are one portion of Cy-Fair ISD's proposed $1.2 billion bond referendum. Trustees will vote Feb. 27 to determine if the measure will be on the May ballot.
Cy-Fair ISD trustees will consider calling for the district's first bond referendum in nearly seven years during a special-called meeting Feb. 27.
In early January, a 50-member group convened with the goal of creating a proposal focused on addressing the district's security, transportation, facilities and technology needs through 2020. During a Feb. 13 meeting, the committee presented to the board a $1.2 billion bond package based on the needs identified during the previous six weeks that could be up for voter approval in May.
"There is no fluff in this recommendation," committee co-chair Debbie Blackshear said. "It is strictly needs-based."
District officials began studying the need for another bond election last year to keep up with student growth. The firm Population Survey Analysts completed a comprehensive demographic study on the district in 2013 and projected that more than 15,000 new students will enroll in the district through 2020.
"If you've been out on the Grand Parkway, you'll know it's about to take off out there, not only with businesses, but continued growth with students," Superintendent Mark Henry said. "You also know that with ExxonMobil building their new headquarters in The Woodlands and the completion of the Grand Parkway, there will be many people wanting to live in our area. I think the growth estimates are really conservative."
Of the proposed bond, $197 million accounts for student growth, including provisions for Elementary 57, Elementary 58, Middle School 19, a Matzke Elementary replacement and six future school sites—three elementary campuses, one middle school and two high schools. The committee also recognized the district will hit another growth milestone in 2016 when its eleventh high school opens, requiring CFISD to enter into two UIL districts.
"This division creates more opportunities for our students, but it also creates the need for additional and upgraded facilities to accommodate those programs," Henry said.
The long-range planning committee recommended the addition of a third agriculture center and a second natatorium to meet the future demand of splitting into two UIL districts.
CFISD officials originally recommended locating the natatorium at the district's twelfth high school—to be constructed in Bridgeland—but committee members were concerned because the original natatorium is located nearby at Cypress Ranch High School. Instead, the proposed natatorium would be built on-site at Pridgeon Stadium off Windfern Road.
"The committee felt it was important the second competition pool be located on the other side of the district to serve the students located across the district," Blackshear said.
Approximately $666 million of the proposed bond package includes reinvesting in the district's older facilities with renovations at Bane Elementary, Adam Elementary and Watkins Middle School.
"The district made a commitment in 1998, 2001, 2004 and 2007 to make sure its older facilities were brought up-to-date and that those schools provided the same opportunity new schools provide," Henry said.
Transportation needs account for $72 million of the proposed bond, including a new transportation center in the southwestern portion of the district near the Grand Parkway, new buses and the installation of video surveillance and GPS technology on existing buses.
Additionally, bus service would be restored to pre-2009 levels, which would restore bus service for students inside the 2-mile limit instituted because of state-mandated budget cuts.
"With all the new development and road construction in the Cypress area, it is extremely important we reinstate this service for the safety of our students to and from school," Blackshear said.
A slew of proposed security improvements for campuses are also included in the bond package such as intrusion detection panels, entry buzzers, security vestibules, emergency call phones, lockdown buttons and additional security cameras.
District officials based the future tax implications of the proposed bond on a number of assumptions and projections including Harris County Appraisal District property value projections over the next three years. If the bond passes, the district's debt service tax rate is projected to increase incrementally each year for three years beginning in 2015-16. The cumulative tax rate increase for the three years is projected to be 4.5 cents. The total tax increase during the three-year period would be $62.25 annually on a home valued at $200,000.
In the past year, several bond referendums in the surrounding area—Lone Star College, Harris County and Katy ISD—have failed, which left Trustee Tom Jackson wondering if the community will support CFISD's bond.
"I think this community has a long-standing history of supporting and valuing education," Blackshear said. "I believe our voters will support this bond once they are educated and understand what is included. We know education will be key, and we are prepared to get out and speak to any groups about what is in the bond recommendation."
For updates on the proposed bond referendum after the Feb. 27 special-called meeting, visit impactnews.com/cyf for more details.
