What you need to know
The bond was recommended by the district’s Citizens Advisory Committee, which consisted of over 100 members, including parents, elected officials and community members. District officials and the CAC said they believe the bond will help manage the growth within the district.
According to district documents, the bond would include the following:
- Two new elementary schools, projected to open in 2025 and 2027, and a replacement elementary school for Disney Elementary and Stevenson Primary in 2026
- One new junior high campus, which could open in 2027
- Renovations and additions to Manvel High School and Alvin High School
- A land and security package
Superintendent Carol Nelson said while home values may increase, which could affect the tax rate, the money is not allocated toward the district. She noted the main funding roots from the state’s basic allotment per student in attendance, which is $6,160 and has been since 2019.
“The value that the state comptroller’s office is valuing your property is the reason your taxes are going up, not because [the district’s] tax rate is going up. Our tax rate actually has gone down significantly,” Nelson said. “We don’t get any additional dollars just because your taxes went up; we still get ... $6,160 per student.”
Diving in deeper
There are just under 30,000 students enrolled in AISD, according to a Feb. 5 news release from the district. By 2028, AISD is projected to enroll more than 33,000 students and just under 37,000 by 2033.
According to district documents, by the upcoming school year, the following three schools are projected to reach overcapacity:
- McNair Junior High
- Alvin High School
- Shadow Creek High School
- Bennett Elementary
- Nelson Elementary
- Nichols-Mock Elementary
- Pomona Elementary
- Sanchez Elementary
- Caffey Junior High
- Iowa Colony Junior High
- Manvel Junior High
- Rodeo Palms Junior High
- Iowa Colony High School
- Manvel High School
“The student enrollment is projected to rise rapidly in the future years, driven by the significant number of residential developments that are actively [being built],” CAC member Melba Ervin said at the meeting. “There were 2,400 vacant developed lots with more than 19,000 planned lots, so it’s certain that the rapid growth in Alvin ISD will continue for quite some time.”
Stay tuned
Early voting for the bond election is from Oct. 21-Nov. 1, according to district documents.