Education
BY WESLEY GARDNER
Failure of HISD’s $4.4B bond shows disconnect between community, district
Bonds over time Since 1989, Houston ISD voters have approved five of the seven proposed bond referendums proposed.
March 1989: HISD voters passed $371M bond to fund construction of 15 new schools November 1998: Voters approved $678M bond to fund construction of 10 new campuses and repair 92 facilities November 2007: Voters approved $805M bond that included construction of 24 new campuses and renovations on 134 facilities
May 1996: Voters rejected $389M bond package that would have built 18 schools and upgraded 84 campuses November 2002: Voters approved $808.6M bond proposal that included construction of new campuses, new air conditioning systems and learning centers for pre-K students November 2024: Voters rejected $4.4B bond that would have addressed aging campuses, and worn-down heating and cooling systems
Houston ISD residents voted down both propositions included in the district’s $4.4 billion bond election Nov. 5, leaving officials with limited options to address aging campuses and worn- down heating and cooling systems throughout the district. The details Roughly 58% of voters voted against both Proposition A and Proposition B during the Nov. 5 election. Proposition A would have provided $4 billion for school renovations, safety improve- ments and security upgrades, while Proposition B would have provided $400 million for technology improvements. The bond’s failure represented the first time HISD voters have rejected a bond referendum in nearly 30 years. While proponents of the bond argued the money was desperately needed to address aging infrastructure throughout the district, many voters argued the bond was a referendum on HISD Superintendent Mike Miles and the district’s board of managers, who were appointed by the TEA to take over the district in June 2023. Miles expressed disappointment with the results on election night. “The politics of adults beat out the needs of our children,” Miles said in a Nov. 5 letter posted on the district’s Facebook page. Some context In addition to several campus replacements and renovations, the bond would have allocated
$1.35 billion toward health and safety improve- ments that would have affected every district campus. The improvements would have included: • Updated heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems • Enhanced security infrastructure • The removal of lead from drinking water A closer look It remains unclear how officials will address the aging infrastructure and issues with air condition- ing and heating at many of the district’s campuses. Miles said the conditions will continue to be unsuitable for both students and teachers, noting closures at some campuses could be warranted in the future. Additionally, Miles said district officials will seek out grant funding and resources from the state to help pay for the security improvements that would have been included in the bond. District officials said it’s too early to determine whether the district will pursue another bond. What they’re saying For months, many HISD community members have concluded their comments at board meetings with the phrase “no trust, no bond.” Ruth Kravetz, co-founder of Houston-based nonprofit Community Voices for Public Education, said voters’ rejection of the bond speaks to a broader lack of support for the TEA-appointed superintendent and board of managers. Veronica Garcia, executive director of nonprofit
November 2012: Voters approved
$1.89B bond that funded
campus rebuilds, renovations and upgrades at 38 campuses
SOURCE: HOUSTON ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Houstonians for Great Public Schools, said district officials and community members need to find a way to work together on infrastructure improvements. “The needs of HISD students cannot be put on hold,” Garcia said. “We can’t afford to wait.”
What goes UP,
Stray bullets CAN KILL. If you hear celebratory gunfire: • Call 911 • Notify Crime Stoppers Anonymously at 713-222-TIPS
must come DOWN.
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HEIGHTS - RIVER OAKS - MONTROSE EDITION
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