“We want this to be a very transparent and very collaborative process,” Superintendent Lupita Hinojosa said in a statement. “Because at the end of the day, what this committee decides, it’s our decision as a group, as a steering committee, for our community, for the 33,500 children that we serve.”
The 50-member bond steering committee met six times starting over the summer, according to the release. Attendees of the invite-only meetings included school board members, community members, district leaders, parents and students.
Per the release, the proposed bond would focus on improving facilities, such as Spring and Westfield high schools as well as Reynolds and Jenkins elementary schools. Additionally, bond funds would be used to construct a districtwide multipurpose education and performing arts center, and to upgrade technology and safety measures across the district.
“We want to make sure that this affects as many of our community members and families as possible,” SISD Parent Sarah Welsh said in a statement. “We want to make sure that all of our families in the entire district have what they need in order to make this something that they would like to vote on.”
Voters approved SISD’s last bond in 2016, with a total budget of $330 million and a working budget of $339.8 million, according to the June 23 board of trustees meeting minutes. The bond interest and sinking tax rate was $0.50, while the district’s proposed interest and sinking tax rate is $0.40.
Members of the steering committee will present bond recommendations to the board of trustees at its Aug. 4 board work session, which will begin at 6 p.m. and take place in the board room of the Gordon M. Anderson Leadership Center, located at 16717 Ella Blvd., Houston. The board will ultimately decide whether to call for a bond election, putting the issue to voters on the Nov. 8 ballot.
