NSA 10 25

Election

BY PARKS KUGLE

On Aug. 11, the North East ISD, or NEISD, board of trustees voted to call a $495 million bond election Nov. 4. What you need to know According to district documents, the proposed bond package was created after a review of NEISD facilities, enrollment trends and instructional needs. Bond funds will be used for: • Renovating and repairing existing school buildings • Enhancing campus safety and security systems • Improving fine arts, athletics and extracurricular North East ISD to hold $495 million bond election

spaces • Upgrading instructional technology and class- room equipment Bond projects were selected after a review by a facilities steering committee, which was formed in December 2024. The committee consisted of parents, community members and NEISD staff, according to the district's bond website. Bond funds cannot be used for daily operating expenses, including salaries and utilities, which are paid using the district’s maintenance and operation budget. Bond funds can only be used for approved capital projects, the district’s bond website states. Zooming In Though the bond is set to raise $495 million for the district, according to district documents, there will be no increase to the current tax rate for at least five years. Terri Chidgey, vice president of the NEISD board of trustees, said the facilities steering committee worked diligently to keep the bond low enough so that it didn’t raise taxes for residents.

“It was very important to [the committee] to keep [the bond] down to a similar amount of the bond issued 10 years ago, even with all of the infla- tion,” Chidgey said. “So quite honestly, there were more things that I wanted on there, but ... they were serious [about keeping] it down to where it did not raise taxes.” Prior to the vote, Chidgey also stressed that this bond wasn’t to build luxury accommodations, but to provide the necessary essentials. “I don’t want to be the board that’s on the news because our air conditioners or heaters are out, as we’ve seen around the city,” Chidgey said. “I want to take care of our children. That doesn’t mean we’re going to build a Playland Park, but it does mean we’re going to keep them cool in the 100 degree weather and keep them warm.” The vote to call a bond election passed 6-1, with District 7 Trustee Marsha Landry voting against. Stay tuned Registered voters that live within the NEISD boundaries are eligible to vote on the bond election Nov. 4.

District overview

Breaking down the bond

NEISD is the second-largest district in San Antonio and the 11th-largest in Texas. If approved, the propositions outlined in the bond would fund projects addressing aging infrastructure, safety and security enhancements, technology upgrades and other improvements across the district, according to its website.

Proposition B

Proposition A

Cost: $400.35M • Replace or improve HVAC system • Safety and security improvements

Cost: $53.48M • Purchase and

Total $495M

upgrade instructional technology equipment

67 schools throughout the district

500 buildings across NEISD

Proposition C

Proposition D

Proposition E

240 portable buildings

Cost: $2.33M • Replace exterior windows and roof covering at Josh Davis Pool

Cost: $29.17M • Renovate Littleton Gym • Improve softball fields, tennis center and baseball fields at Blossom Athletic Center

Cost: $9.69M • Improve plumbing, roofing, lighting at Blossom Athletic Center, Heroes Stadium and North East Sports Park • Improve concession areas and locker rooms

55,000 projected student enrollment for 2025-26 school year

12M total square feet of facilities

*DUE TO ROUNDING THE NUMBERS, THE TOTAL PROPOSED BOND AMOUNT APPEARS LARGER.

SOURCE: NORTH EAST ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

STONE OAK 23026 US Hwy 281 N (210) 497-1322 DE ZAVALA 5219 De Zavala Rd (210) 561-0900

VINEYARD 1309 N Loop 1604 W (210) 408-8206

RECTOR 819 E Rector Dr (210) 340-2244

LEGACY 2003 N Loop 1604 E (210) 494-8600