As the 10th-fastest-growing school district in the state, Klein ISD has added nearly 7,000 students since 2008 and expects to grow to more than 62,000 students by 2023. To accommodate the incoming flood of students, KISD is calling for a $498.1 million bond referendum May 9. "[An estimated] 13,000 students are projected to join us in the next 10 years, and they're coming from everywhere," Superintendent Jim Cain said. The bond package would provide the district funding for three new schools, in addition to renovation, technology and security projects as well as buses.

Addressing growth

The largest piece of the proposed bond includes more than $280 million for projects that will accommodate future growth in the district. The costliest line item would provide $122 million for the construction of High School No. 5, which could open in fall 2017 if the bond is approved. Without a fifth high school, Klein Collins, Klein and Klein Oak high schools are all anticipated to have their student enrollments surpass 120 percent of capacity by 2019, which is the point when KISD looks to construct a new school to address overcrowding. "You've got to put those kids somewhere," Associate Superintendent for Facilities Robert Robertson said. Klein ISD Bond Referendum The bond also includes $47 million for Intermediate School No. 10, set to open in 2018, and $26 million for Elementary School No. 33, set to open in 2019, as well as a second early childhood/Pre-K center, gyms and classroom additions. Robertson said rising construction costs affected new construction projects within the bond as costs have risen 30 percent in the past two years in the Greater Houston area. He said projections from Houston-based firm Kiley Advisors state construction costs could increase 20 percent in the next three years. Despite rising construction costs, the new schools within the bond are necessary to address the incoming students, said Lynn Dozier, co-chair of the Citizens for Klein Kids political action committee. "The potential for growth is incredible," Dozier said. "They're projecting adding 1,600 students a year moving to the district. That's two elementary schools. That's an intermediate school. That's a high school in three years." Dozier taught English for almost 30 years at Klein Forest High School, where all four of her children graduated, and participated in the bond steering committee meetings last year. She said the PAC supports the bond because the district brings significant value to the community. "Having good schools in the neighborhood is the best way to enhance your property values," she said. "That's why my husband and I moved to Klein—because of the schools."

Renovations, technology

The proposed bond referendum would provide more than $100 million in renovation projects. Robertson said renovations were narrowed down to those given a priority level of 1 or 2, or projects that keep students warm, safe and dry. "If you've got a roof leaking, that's a Priority 1 [project]," he said. "There's also in there, major mechanical, electrical [and] plumbing equipment that's reached the end of it's useful life and needs to be replaced to avoid future expense or avoid that unplanned breakdown." Renovations also includes the installation of more energy efficient systems that will save the district money in the long run, said Judy Rimato, associate superintendent for communications and planning. Energy efficiency was a significant factor in the district's ability to save about $58 million in tax dollars in the last five years. "When you can save those dollars and turn around and use them productively with staffing and salary and benefits and other things to meet your needs, that's a huge win-win," Cain said. Spring Tea Party founder Fred Blanton said he would like to see the district set up a reserve fund to replace certain life cycle and maintenance items, but he still supports the bond referendum. He said he participated in the steering committee process and helped the committee cut the initial recommendations from $725 million to $498.1 million. "We've cut the guts out of this thing," Blanton said. "We've cut the frills out of it. We've gotten it down for the basic needs." Technology costs within the bond make up about 10 percent of the costs. The largest piece is $23 million to help the district continue a 1-to-1 computer-to-student ratio at various campuses, Rimato said. "We're getting classroom sets of computers, labs of mobile computers that the classrooms share," Rimato said. "We're putting more and more technology into the hands of the students to do their work." The district has also begun a Bring Your Own Device pilot program at Ulrich Intermediate School this semester, which would allow students to bring their own electronic devices and requires wireless infrastructure costs within the bond, Robertson said. "School districts want to use technology tools increasingly as part of the standard classroom instruction," Cain said.

"Whether you have kids or not, you ought to care about the fabric of our community, and if you don't educate our young kids, then they're not going to be the responsible adults you want them to be." - Steven Smith, Klein ISD board president

Tax increase

If approved by voters, KISD estimates the property tax rate for residents of the district will increase no more than 10 cents per $100 valuation in the next eight years. The average homeowner in the district would pay $156 more per year in property taxes to the district at the height of the proposed tax increase. "When [KISD Chief Financial Officer Thomas Petrek] projects what the tax rate is going to be, we always do that very conservatively," Rimato said. "We suspect the same thing could hold true for this bond election." Cain said the tax rate increase will not affect senior citizens over the age of 65 who have applied for a homestead exemption. The superintendent emphasized the district lowered the property tax rate five cents in the last two years but said passing the bond referendum without a property tax increase would be impossible. "It would be great if we could, but given the scope of the projects and the fact that we're setting aside $284 million alone for growth in terms of new campuses, we simply have to increase the taxes in order to address that kind of a situation," Cain said.

Planning for the future

Cain said the timeline and projects within the bond are not set in stone. The previous bond in 2008 was set to be a four-year bond, but following the economic recession, the funds were stretched over a longer period of time and some projects were delayed or changed. "When a bond is approved, that's simply giving the school district the authorization to move forward when the time is right," Cain said. "If the time isn't right, we just step back." If residents vote against the bond, Cain said the district can call another bond as soon as November. In the meantime, KISD could take other measures to address enrollment growth, particularly with the use of temporary buildings at overcrowded campuses. Should voters not pass a bond for an extended period of time, KISD would have to consider more serious measures, such as more lunch periods or longer school days. KISD Board President Steven Smith said he urges residents who are not parents, staff or faculty to get out and vote for the bond. "Whether you have kids or not, you ought to care about the fabric of our community, and if you don't educate our young kids, then they're not going to be the responsible adults you want them to be," Smith said.