Education
BY RYAN REYNOLDS
TISD seeks voter approval for $429.1M bond in May election
Tomball ISD approved a $429.1 million bond package to be put on the May 3 election ballot. The package includes land and site development for a new elementary school and a proposal to build activity centers at three high schools. TISD trustees voted unanimously to call for the school bond election during a Feb. 11 meeting. The details At a Feb. 10 workshop meeting, TISD officials presented a reduced bond package with four prop- ositions, each of which can be voted on separately. TISD officials trimmed the initial bond package by removing the proposition to update natatori- ums for an estimated $880,000, directing those funds to other renovation projects. In the presentation, TISD Chief Financial Officer Zack Boles said the total tax rate will remain at $1.06 per $100 of valuation because the 2025 bond package is within the district’s debt capacity of $430 million.
Breaking down the bond Proposition A is the most expensive at an estimated $331.6 million and mainly focuses on renovating aging campuses and facilities while adjusting to student growth, according to a Feb. 10 presentation. Proposition C is the least costly at an estimated $2.8 million and aims to provide upgrades, renovations and maintenance to Tom- ball High School’s football stadium. How we got here A bond steering committee met three times between December and January to engage the community and discuss what the district should prioritize, according to a Feb. 10 presentation. After assessing facilities, programs and depart- ments, the steering committee recommended that TISD focus on facility infrastructure replace- ments, safety and security upgrades, and campus revitalization.
TISD May bond package
Total: $429.1M
Proposition A: Renovating aging campuses and facilities | $331.6M Proposition B: Technology for staff and students | $18M
Proposition C: Athletic upgrades at Tomball High School | $2.8M Proposition D: Multiprogram activity centers | $76.7M
SOURCE: TOMBALL ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Additionally, the steering committee urged TISD to prioritize building activity centers at Tomball, Tomball Memorial and Tomball West high schools. What’s next Those registered to vote within TISD attendance boundaries can vote on the school bond package. The deadline to register to vote is April 3.
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