EDUCATION BRIEFS
News from Comal & New Braunfels ISDs
QUOTE OF NOTE
Voters approve 2 of 3 bond proposals in Comal ISD COMAL ISD Two of the three bond propositions on the May 6 ballot were passed by voters, adding up to $588.56 million. BY SIERRA MARTIN BALLOTS TOWARD BOND ELECTIONS Voters who live in Comal ISD approved two of the three bonds on the May 6 election ballot.
HIGHLIGHT COMAL ISD The district approved the 2023-24 employee compensation plan, which includes a 3% increase for all positions, which would bring the base starting pay to $52,500 for beginner-level teachers. Additional amendments were made, including increased stipends for some teachers in the athletic department. Comal ISD will meet June 22 at 6 p.m. at the CISD District O ce, 1404 N. I-35, New Braunfels. 830-221-2000. MEETINGS WE COVER will meet June 19 and July 10 at 7 p.m. at the NBISD Administration Center, 1000 N. Walnut Ave., New Braunfels. 830-643-5705. www.nbisd.org www.comalisd.org New Braunfels ISD “EVERY SINGLE TIME THAT TEST HAS CHANGED, SCORES DROP, BUT WE ALWAYS REBOUND AND COME BACK.” COMAL ISD SUPERINTENDENT JOHN E. CHAPMAN III ON THE STAAR 2.0 TEST NUMBER TO KNOW was raised to help ght blood cancer by Alex Smithwick, a 16-year-old Comal ISD Smithson Valley High School student, during a seven-week campaign. Smithwick was named the 2023 Student Visionary of the Year winner for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s South Central Texas Region. $176,557
Proposition A
The bond was the fth called by CISD in the past 10 years in an attempt to keep up with the rapid growth in the region. The propositions were: • Proposition A: growth and reinvestment for $560.56 million • Proposition B: stadiums for $46.1 million • Proposition C: technology for $28 million Propositions A and C narrowly passed with 51.15% and 51.62% approval, respectively. Proposition B failed with 60.11% of voters opposing it. “With the passage of these two propositions, we will now be able to move forward with the construction of new schools to address growth, take care of existing facilities, enhance our safety and security program, and ensure that students and teachers have the technology they need in the classroom,” CISD Assistant Superintendent Steve Stanford said. The Mayfair development will lead to student growth in
Prop A: Funds new schools, security and facility maintenance.
51.17% For
48.30% Against
Proposition B
Prop B: Would have funded stadium improvements at Canyon Lake High School.
39.89% For
60.11% Against
Proposition C
Prop C: Funds student technology & infrastructure.
51.64% For
48.36% Against
SOURCE: COMAL ISD COMMUNITY IMPACT
the district. Through the approval of Proposition A, CISD will purchase the rst elementary site in Mayfair. A middle school and high school site is planned for the near future as well, according to developer SouthStar Communities. According to CISD, the bond will not have a direct impact on the tax rate for residents living in the district.
Carl Schurz Elementary renovations unveiled
BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN
NEW BRAUNFELS ISD The library of the nearly 100-year-old Carl Schurz Elementary school is being prepped for an upgrade. The renovations are being funded by the 2018 bond. According to a presentation to the board of trustees May 8, the project’s objectives are to bring the school up to Texas Association of School Boards standards, improve safety and security campuswide, provide equity, and plan for the future needs of the campus. The proposed site plan includes a new re line from Coll Street, a new building, a new parking lot and re access drive, a modi ed play area and elds, three temporary portable locations, and improved access to visitor parking.
The Carl Schurz Elementary School library will receive renovations to meet modern library standards. (Rendering courtesy New Braunfels ISD)
13
NEW BRAUNFELS EDITION • JUNE 2023
Powered by FlippingBook