As previously reported by Community Impact Newspaper, a committee of about 70 parents, community members, employees, retired educators and business partners met five times over the course of two months in late 2021 to discuss the current and future needs of KISD. In January, representatives of the group—known as the KISD Bond Steering Committee—reported their findings to the board of trustees, recommending three possible bond package options totaling $1.1 billion, $994.4 million and $973.5 million.
Following the Jan. 11 presentation, the KISD trustees met in a special meeting Jan. 24 to discuss the long-range plan of the district, including a review of facilities and technology, as well as any potential financial impact to the community.
According to the Feb. 15 board meeting agenda, trustees will consider calling a bond election for the proposed bond package totaling $1.1 billion. In the Jan. 11 presentation by the bond steering committee, officials noted a $1.1 billion bond would have a projected tax rate increase of $0.085 per $100 valuation, or an additional $196 in annual property taxes on a home valued at $255,000.
If approved by trustees, the bond will go to voters in the May 7 election and be broken down into the following four propositions:
- Proposition A ($843.84 million): For the construction, acquisition, renovation and equipment of school buildings in the district; for the purchase of the necessary sites for school buildings; for the purchase of new school buses; for the retrofitting of school buses with emergency, safety, or security equipment; and for the purchase or retrofitting of vehicles to be used for emergency, safety, or security purposes.
- Proposition B ($51.51 million): For the acquisition or update of district technology equipment, including the acquisition of personal computing devices for students, teachers and staff.
- Proposition C ($132.325 million): For the construction, acquisition, and equipment of a district events center with a seating capacity in excess of 8,000 seats for use in connection with events including indoor athletic competitions, graduations, concerts, performances, convocations, science fairs, and robotics and career and technology exhibitions.
- Proposition D ($75.19 million): For the construction, acquisition, renovation and equipment of district stadiums, including the construction of a new district stadium and renovations to Memorial Stadium.
