Tomball ISD's $160 million bond to fund four new schools and renovations at all existing schools was approved by voters in the May 11 election, while a $497.7 million bond referendum proposed by Lone Star College System fell short of voter approval.

"I would like to thank the voters," said Tomball ISD Superintendent John Neubauer. "We appreciate their support of our students."

Tomball ISD called the bond election in response to a surge of growth in the northeast and southern regions of Tomball ISD. The district's student population is projected to grow by 3,700 students in the next five years. There are currently 11,700 students enrolled in Tomball ISD.

The new schools, which will cost $110 million, include an elementary and intermediate school in the southern area of the district. In addition, an elementary and a junior high will be built in The Woodlands.

Sixty-nine percent of voters in Harris and Montgomery counties, or 1,312 residents, supported the bond, while 31 percent, or 588 voters, opposed, the bond. In Harris County, 1,209 voters (73 percent) supported the bond, compared with 442 (27 percent) opposed. In Montgomery County, 146 voters (59 percent) opposed the bond and 103 voters (41 percent) supported it.

Lone Star

The Lone Star College bond failed with 55.6 percent of voters against the bond and 44.4 percent favoring it.

"We are obviously disappointed in the results," said Ray Laughter, LSCS's vice chancellor for external affairs. "We have already started meeting to identify what our most urgent needs are and what we can do without the resources from the bond."

The bond was approved 53 percent to 47 percent in Harris county, but only received 29 percent of voter support in Montgomery County. A total of 18,771 people voted.

The bond was proposed by LSCS in March to address explosive enrollment growth and the need to expand facilities. LSCS has added 30,000 students in the past five years, with total enrollment rising from 49,267 in 2007 to 77,877 in 2012. LSCS officials are projecting 110,000 students by 2018.

Laughter said Lone Star College will continue to provide the services it always has as it looks for ways to cope with the projected growth.

"We believe we are highly valued by the community in the services we provide and the difference we make in people's lives," he said. "We don't believe that this was a vote on the college, but on this particular referendum."