BY HALEY VELASCO
Put in perspective
The bottom line
Laura Hartlieb, a CAC member and FISD parent, supports the bond. She said the projects in it aim to prioritize the district’s needs. She pointed to aging campuses, such as Westwood Elementary, which opened in 1967, and Bales Intermediate, which opened in 1994. Hartlieb said the projects will provide safer, more functional schools and that the tax impact for most homeowners would be similar to a routine monthly expense. “[For a] $450,000 home, it’s $48 a month,” she said. “It’s literally one dinner out to provide tons of opportunities for our kids.” Opponents, meanwhile, acknowledge the district’s facility needs but question how officials have managed taxpayer money in the past. FISD resident John Scott said he opposes the bond, pointing to the district’s rising adminis- trative costs and a lack of accountability in fund management. Scott ran for a position on the FISD school board in 2024 and was unsuccessful in his bid.
Though no timeline is set, Petree said projects could begin “right away” if the bond passes. Early voting runs from Oct. 20- 31, ahead of the Nov. 4 election, according to the Texas Secretary of State’s website. If the bond fails, Roher said the district will continue to face challenges with aging facilities, as improvements would be delayed. He also noted FISD would most likely need to revisit the issue by bringing a similar funding proposal in the future. “Nothing’s changed. It’s just five years older,” Roher said. “We want equitable facilities for all our kids, and this helps make that possible.”
“It’s a no-brainer, because we’re
Those in favor:
going to need to do [these projects] eventually anyway. We’re not asking for more than what other districts are doing. As a matter of fact, it’s extremely conservative compared to what other districts have done.” LAURA HARTLIEB, CAC MEMBER AND FISD PARENT
“I’m not suggesting that they shouldn’t
Those opposed:
build a new school, or that they shouldn’t renovate or make modifications … [but] I don’t think that we should be giving an ... increase in taxes to a governing body that can’t manage the funds that it has.” JOHN SCOTT, FISD RESIDENT
If approved
• Work on approved projects begins right away • Funding provided for facilities for at least 10 years • Bond oversight committee formed to oversee bond projects
Cost to the district
If it fails
Tax-supported debt per average daily attendance
• FISD may return to voters in future with similar bond proposal • FISD will review which facility and technology needs are most urgent • Possible continued challenges with aging facilities, limited capacity in student programs
Officials said the $165 million bond builds on years of planning, including a 2019 plan that produced the $127.2 million bond in 2020. According to unofficial data from the Texas Bond Review Board, FISD carries about $187 million in debt, equal to over $32,000 per average daily attendance, which reflects the student population. That level is similar to nearby districts.
Alvin ISD
$33,209
Friendswood ISD
$32,133
Pearland ISD
$19,778
SOURCE: FRIENDSWOOD ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
NOTE: THE TEXAS BOND REVIEW BOARD IS NOT COMPREHENSIVE AND DOES NOT GUARANTEE FULL ACCURACY OF DATA. SOURCE: TEXAS BOND REVIEW BOARD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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