TISD Board of Trustees gathers input from Tomball community, will decide March 1 whether or not to call a bond election
With enrollment at Tomball ISD elementary schools increasing at a rate of approximately 300 students per year, the district is considering calling a bond election this May to help fund the creation of four new campuses, among other district needs. The TISD Board of Trustees created a steering committee in October to look into the most effective ways to deal with growth and hosted a public forum Jan. 28 to present its findings to the community.
"We are at a very exciting time in the district right now," said Rick Pritchett, chair of the steering committee. "Growth brings certain needs, and planning for quality schools is a byproduct of that. We're all in Tomball for many reasons, but I think we can agree that quality schools is at the top of our collective list."
If the board does call for a bond election, the committee recommends the money would be used to build a K–5 and junior high school in The Woodlands area, as well as a K–4 and intermediate school for fifth and sixth graders in the southern part of the district.
The need for these schools is based on growth projections through the 2018–19 school year, Pritchett said.
"This is a five-year plan," he said. "This is not something where we pass the bond and then immediately start building. The projects will be staggered, with more details to be determined."
The steering committee—which is composed of TISD staff, parents, local business leaders—looked at future developments, number of rooftops and number of lots available for development in determining enrollment at each campus through 2018. Although Creekside Forest Elementary is the only school exceeding capacity this year, projections show Canyon Pointe Elementary and Northpointe Intermediate school exceeding capacity in 2014, Willow Creek Elementary and Tomball Junior High School in 2015, and Timber Creek campuses in 2016.
"The bottom line is: We've got growth," Pritchett said. "The kids are not only coming, they're here."
The committee arrived at an estimated total of $168,296,726 for all improvements, with roughly $110 million set aside for the four new schools, $30 million for additions and renovations to existing infrastructure and $28 million for improvements to transportation and technology. Other recommendations included new buses, the installation of security vestibules at the main entrance of all campuses, as well as $5 million in improvements at both high school stadiums.
Pritchett said the district would avoid going over a tax rate of five cents per $100 valuation. He also noted that the costs are all estimates at this point, and may need to be adjusted after the design process.
"We have a desire to provide the very best for our kids in this district, but we have to do that with a hand on the fiscal steering wheel," Pritchett said.
The steering committee will make its final presentation to the board of trustees Feb. 11, according to communications director Staci Stanfield. The board will take community input into account before calling or passing on a bond election March 1. Election Day is May 11.
