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UPGRADING THE DISTRICT Eanes ISD is in need of repairs to its security and building structure, stadium, and student technology. This bond seeks to address those needs through three propositions.
PROPOSITION A
TOTAL $117.77M $61.55M: facility improvements and modernization $23.39M: technology infrastructure $8.69M: electrical; heating, ventilation and air conditioning; and plumbing $8.28M: safety and security upgrades $6.62M: solar installations $5.72M: transportation and support $3.32M: student equipment $200,000: future bond consultant costs CAMPUS IMPROVEMENTS
Funds allocated for Proposition A will go towards safety and security upgrades for all campuses.
Bond money will go toward upgrading several aspects of Chaparral Stadium.
PHOTOS BY TAYLOR CRIPE COMMUNITY IMPACT
“We’ve been meeting with our booster club, presidents and leadership groups, and they understand what we’re calling for,” she said. The decision to call the bond election has been a multimonth process, Chief Financial O cer Chris Scott said. “No one has ever come to a [bond] meeting and said, ‘Don’t do this,’” he said. Jennifer Grammer, an EISD graduate and parent to a Cedar Creek Elementary rst grader and a second grader, said the bond addresses maintenance issues and improvements on all campuses. “Using bond dollars for these necessary expenses frees up other funds for things like teacher salaries and student programs. With the amount of dollars that leave the district due to recapture, EISD has to maximize every dollar available,” she said. “This bond accomplishes that while keeping our tax rate the same. I hope our community votes in favor of all three propositions.” Upgrading the district Each bond falls into three categories, according to district documents; Proposition A items are considered an immediate priority and will be funded from the school’s maintenance and operation fund if the bond does not pass. Proposition B items need to be addressed in the near future, and Proposition C items can be delayed for the foreseeable future; however, the funding of these items would greatly improve or enhance
student programs, district o cials said. Proposition A funds, totaling $117.77 million, will go toward upgrades of di erent facilities, modernizing campuses, technology hardware, and cybersecurity and safety upgrades, according to EISD documents. One of the largest portions of Proposition A is the technology package for $23.39 million. Firewall upgrades, new school phones, CenturyLink Internet and network updates are all included in the technology infrastructure package. Safety signage; facility upgrades; cybersecurity management; safety barriers; and vestibule, or lobby, recon gurations will also cost the school district millions of dollars in upgrades and repairs. “After [the Uvalde school shooting], we changed the way several of our security systems work,” McWhorter said. “The funds from the bond will help maintain those systems.” Arts and athletic facilities, as well as district libraries, would also receive funding from Proposition A to modernize buildings. Proposition B would pay for repairs and maintenance to Chaparral Stadium, including replacing the track surface and the video board at the stadium. Proposition C would use $11.25 million for student and sta digital devices, including iPads for students. Saving money One of the bene ts of the bond package will be the potential $2.9 million in savings for the school district, Scott said.
PROPOSITION B
TOTAL $2.41M STADIUM UPGRADES $1.26M: stadium facility refurbishments and production systems $670,000: track surface replacements and upgrades $479,000: LED eld pole lighting replacements
PROPOSITION C
TOTAL $11.25M STUDENT TECHNOLOGY
$11.25M: district student and sta device upgrades
SOURCE: EANES ISD COMMUNITY IMPACT
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