The Alvin ISD board of trustees could decide in August whether to put a potential $480.5 million bond package to a popular vote, though it could come at no additional expense to the taxpayers, according to a report from the district's Citizen Advisory Committee.

The bond would cover two new elementary schools, two new junior high schools, and one new high school, the replacement of EC Mason Elementary and Alvin Primary, the renovation of Harby Junior High, the purchase of land and safety measures. A draft proposal was presented to the board of trustees at its June 12 meeting.

Specific line items for safety and security were not included in the draft, however, the district has a School Safety Advisory Committee putting together a plan for improvements.

“Safety and security is at the forefront and a concern for every parent. We felt strongly, as a committee, that funds should be available as the School Safety Advisory Committee finalizes their recommendations.  Additionally, we recommend providing funds to secure future school sites,” Travis McGuire, member of the Citizens Advisory Committee, told trustees.

The project would be paid through by a tax swap, or a transfer of rates associated with the Interest and Seeking fund to the Maintenance and Operation fund. This would require a tax ratification election, or TRE, even though it may not increase actual tax rates.

Alvin ISD has a rapidly growing tax base, according to previous Community Impact Newspaper reporting. From 2014 to 2018 preliminary figures, school district's total net taxable property value increased 50 percent to almost $9.3 billion.