Local · Trusted · Free
The Morning Impact — your neighborhood's most important stories, delivered every morning.
Friendswood ISD’s board of trustees continued refining a proposed bond package during its Jan. 28 workshop session, narrowing the total to $81.5 million.
The overview
Following additional discussion and revisions of drafts that were presented to the board, trustees ended the workshop with a four-proposition bond package reduced to $81.5 million.
The draft bond package includes:
The Jan. 28 draft moved the Westwood replacement into its own proposition, whereas the Jan. 22 draft had included it in Proposition A alongside critical repairs.
How we got here
Of the 464 respondents who opposed the 2025 bond, many indicated in a district survey released Nov. 21 that they would support a future bond if it focused on specific priorities.
Based on survey feedback and discussion from previous workshop sessions, Huckabee architectural firm—which has been assisting FISD with the bond proposal—presented three initial drafts at the Jan. 28 meeting, each totaling $86.7 million:
What’s new
Since the Jan. 22 draft, proposals for athletics and inclusive playgrounds were added to the bond discussion:
Based on a recommendation from Huckabee and additional board discussion, athletics and playgrounds were not included in the draft as the board concluded the Jan. 28 meeting.
The details
The updated Westwood conceptual plan is designed to serve approximately 600 students, and includes:
The plan reduces both scope and cost compared with the 2025 bond, dropping from $43 million in November to $40.6 million, according to district documents.
The updated career and agricultural science center proposition, renamed by the board to align with district priorities, focuses on maintaining career and technology education programs.
The plan includes two new facilities for CTE and agricultural programs, along with an outdoor area, while maintaining key features such as holding pens, a welding lab, planting beds, an arena and a chicken coop.
“Students love to hang out there, but because of the lack of space, they are either holding their animals off campus or unable to participate,” board member Laura Seifert said at the workshop.
What you need to know
The district has seen notable growth in programs that received facility upgrades, according to district documents.
The culinary program, which was renovated during the 2025-26 school year, grew from 264 students in 2024-25 to 311 students, outpacing programs that did not receive improvements.
Additionally, the agricultural exploration program grew from 86 students to 146 students in 2025-26, while the dual credit welding program with College of the Mainland increased from eight to 12 students, even as enrollment in other dual credit programs declined over the same period.
Also of note
The critical repairs and safety proposition addresses the district’s most immediate needs, focusing on aging facilities and building systems, including:
The technology proposition focuses on updating and replacing district-wide infrastructure and campus-level instructional technology, including upgrades for:
Quote of note
“The ones who came out for the survey are going to be the ones that come out to vote,” board member Rebecca Hillenburg said at the workshop. “They sent us clear messages, and we need to listen.”
What’s next
The board of trustees will continue reviewing and revising the bond proposal during a workshop session scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Feb. 2 in the FISD boardroom, located at 302 Laurel Drive in Friendswood.
