Fort Bend ISD postpones calling May bond election

After debate over which of four bond options to call, Fort Bend ISD has postponed voting to call the election.

The district had planned to call the $1.2 billion bond election during its Feb. 13 board of trustees meeting. Instead, tt voted 6-1 to postpone voting until a Feb. 16 meeting.

The bond would provide funds for a variety of improvements to facilities and services across the district. The majority of the estimated $1.214 billion bond is earmarked for improvements to existing facilities. A survey of 350 voters presented during the board meeting found that 52% supported a $1.2 billion bond when given no initial information and 68% supported it when given information.

During its meeting, the board was presented with four options for what would appear on the ballot. Option 1 split the $1.2 billion bond into two propositions on the ballot: one for construction, security and transportation upgrades, and another for technology updates for the district. Option 2 included a third $22.9 million bond proposition for a district natatorium.

Option 3 would bring the bond below $1 billion by removing the new elementary and middle schools and reducing improvements to life cycle deficiencies by $35 million. Option 4 would incorporate a $19.2 million bus facility into proposition A.

If called, the bond election would be held during the 2023 general election on May 6.