As the 10th-fastest-growing school district in the state, Klein ISD has added nearly 7,000 students since 2008 and expects to grow to more than 62,000 students by 2023. To accommodate the incoming flood of students, KISD is calling for a $498.1 million bond referendum May 9.
"[An estimated] 13,000 students are projected to join us in the next 10 years, and they're coming from everywhere," Superintendent Jim Cain said.
The bond package would provide the district funding for three new schools, in addition to renovation, technology and security projects as well as buses.
Addressing growth
The largest piece of the proposed bond includes more than $280 million for projects that will accommodate future growth in the district. The costliest line item would provide $122 million for the construction of High School No. 5, which could open in fall 2017 if the bond is approved. Without a fifth high school, Klein Collins, Klein and Klein Oak high schools are all anticipated to have their student enrollments surpass 120 percent of capacity by 2019, which is the point when KISD looks to construct a new school to address overcrowding. "You've got to put those kids somewhere," Associate Superintendent for Facilities Robert Robertson said. Klein ISD Bond Referendum The bond also includes $47 million for Intermediate School No. 10, set to open in 2018, and $26 million for Elementary School No. 33, set to open in 2019, as well as a second early childhood/Pre-K center, gyms and classroom additions. Robertson said rising construction costs affected new construction projects within the bond as costs have risen 30 percent in the past two years in the Greater Houston area. He said projections from Houston-based firm Kiley Advisors state construction costs could increase 20 percent in the next three years. Despite rising construction costs, the new schools within the bond are necessary to address the incoming students, said Lynn Dozier, co-chair of the Citizens for Klein Kids political action committee. "The potential for growth is incredible," Dozier said. "They're projecting adding 1,600 students a year moving to the district. That's two elementary schools. That's an intermediate school. That's a high school in three years." Dozier taught English for almost 30 years at Klein Forest High School, where all four of her children graduated, and participated in the bond steering committee meetings last year. She said the PAC supports the bond because the district brings significant value to the community. "Having good schools in the neighborhood is the best way to enhance your property values," she said. "That's why my husband and I moved to Klein—because of the schools."Renovations, technology
The proposed bond referendum would provide more than $100 million in renovation projects. Robertson said renovations were narrowed down to those given a priority level of 1 or 2, or projects that keep students warm, safe and dry. "If you've got a roof leaking, that's a Priority 1 [project]," he said. "There's also in there, major mechanical, electrical [and] plumbing equipment that's reached the end of it's useful life and needs to be replaced to avoid future expense or avoid that unplanned breakdown." Renovations also includes the installation of more energy efficient systems that will save the district money in the long run, said Judy Rimato, associate superintendent for communications and planning. Energy efficiency was a significant factor in the district's ability to save about $58 million in tax dollars in the last five years. "When you can save those dollars and turn around and use them productively with staffing and salary and benefits and other things to meet your needs, that's a huge win-win," Cain said. Spring Tea Party founder Fred Blanton said he would like to see the district set up a reserve fund to replace certain life cycle and maintenance items, but he still supports the bond referendum. He said he participated in the steering committee process and helped the committee cut the initial recommendations from $725 million to $498.1 million. "We've cut the guts out of this thing," Blanton said. "We've cut the frills out of it. We've gotten it down for the basic needs." Technology costs within the bond make up about 10 percent of the costs. The largest piece is $23 million to help the district continue a 1-to-1 computer-to-student ratio at various campuses, Rimato said. "We're getting classroom sets of computers, labs of mobile computers that the classrooms share," Rimato said. "We're putting more and more technology into the hands of the students to do their work." The district has also begun a Bring Your Own Device pilot program at Ulrich Intermediate School this semester, which would allow students to bring their own electronic devices and requires wireless infrastructure costs within the bond, Robertson said. "School districts want to use technology tools increasingly as part of the standard classroom instruction," Cain said."Whether you have kids or not, you ought to care about the fabric of our community, and if you don't educate our young kids, then they're not going to be the responsible adults you want them to be." - Steven Smith, Klein ISD board president
