Voters support Tomball ISD bond

Tomball ISD is the fastest growing school district, based on percentage, among seven counties surrounding Houston, including Harris, Chambers, Galveston, Liberty, Waller, Fort Bend and Brazoria counties, said Huey Kinchen, the district's deputy superintendent. There are 51 public school districts in those counties.

All results are unofficial until canvassed.

Renovations

The bond also funds renovations at all of the district's 12 schools, including new technology, security upgrades and additional school buses, district officials said.

The bond includes renovation projects at Lakewood and Decker Prairie elementary schools to upgrade the front administration areas and the cafeterias.

Timber Creek and Creekside Forest elementary schools will be renovated to move sixth grade from the campuses and alter the schools to a K-5 instead.

In addition, the bond will include money to help with traffic congestion relief at Tomball Junior High School and Northpointe Intermediate.

The bond provides money for facility improvements district-wide, including upgrades to air conditioning, heating, lighting, roof replacement, paving, and other electrical, mechanical and plumbing projects, district officials said.

The new schools, which will cost $110 million, include an elementary and intermediate school in the southern area of the district.

In addition, an elementary and a junior high will be built in The Woodlands to help with growth at area elementary schools and Tomball Junior High. The need for these schools is based on growth projections through the 2018–19 school year.

Although Creekside Forest Elementary is the only school exceeding capacity this year, projections show Canyon Pointe Elementary and Northpointe Intermediate school exceeding capacity in 2014, Willow Creek Elementary and Tomball Junior High School in 2015, and Timber Creek campuses in 2016.

In addition to the new schools, the district has set aside $30 million for additions and renovations to existing infrastructure and $28 million for improvements to transportation and technology.

Also in the bond, Tomball ISD will renovate the district stadium track and install field turf at the stadium. Field turf will also be added at Tomball Memorial High School. The bond will also fund new weight rooms at each junior high school as well.

Other improvements include the installation of security vestibules at the main entrance of campuses that do not already have them. The district also plans to add a second agriculture project barn.