Fort Bend ISD staff reported Feb. 12 approximately $381 million out of the $484 million authorized in the 2014 bond program has been committed and 79 percent of overall projects are completed. Plans are underway for a potential 2018 bond program.

Planned future projects include construction of Elementary School 51, design work for heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and facility enhancements, particularly at Hall and Mercer Stadiums, Chief Financial Officer Steven Bassett said. These projects may be funded by a reimbursement resolution should voters approve a 2018 bond package.

Stewart Jacobson, chair of the 2014 Bond Oversight Committee, said committee members will meet once a month beginning in March to discuss a potential 2018 bond program.

The facilities master planning process is underway and will be used to help determine projects for the future bond, according to meeting documents. Staff anticipates the assessment will be completed by March 2018.

Meeting documents also indicated FBISD’s plans to use its upcoming student enrollment and demographics report from the Population and Survey Analysts in conjunction with the district’s ongoing building utilization study to develop a capital plan, outlining potential bond projects, which may include constructing new buildings, renovating facilities and expanding programs.

As of Dec. 31, the district has approximately $253 million in unissued bonds from its 2007 and 2014 bond programs, according to documents.

“[Regarding] debt management, the big takeaway from this is that we’re maintaining our double A plus [bond credit] rating,” Bassett said. “We have a very favorable debt schedule in comparison to most of our peer districts. Over 93 percent of our debt will mature within 20 years, so it’s a very strong profile.”