Decaying schools
Should you vote for the $1.89 billion HISD bond? Everything you need to know
The Houston Independent School District board voted 8-1 to put the $1.89 billionbond package to citizens in November.
Terry Grier, HISD superintendent, presented the package to the board on Aug. 2.
Mice, mold, poor lighting and dated technology? Recent review reports of Houston Independent School District facilities cited these problems and many more in campus buildings — painting a grim picture that necessitated serious intervention.
At a meeting on Wednesday evening, the HISD school board of education voted eight to one to seek voter approval on a $1.89 billion bond package put forth by HISD superintendent Terry Grier. Trustee Greg Meyers voted against the proposal.
That bond, if passed in the November election, will affect students in all 279 campuses within the district.
That bond, if passed in the November election, will affect students in all 279 campuses within the district.
Where an initial proposal pointed out eight high schools in need of facility replacement, a second draft presented to the board on Aug. 2 listed 20 aging high schools as slated for completely new campuses.
That list includes three of the district's distinguished specialty schools (High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, DeBakey High School for Health Professions and Eastwood Academy) and recognizes the historic architecture of four others (Austin, Davis, Lamar and Milby).
Under the package, four additional high schools will be partially replaced and four more will be renovated. Five elementary schools will be converted into K-8 campuses, and three elementary campuses entirely rebuilt. Grady Middle School will get a new addition to complete its new campus, and Dowling Middle School will receivea completely new campus.
In addition to school renovations, $100 million of the bond will go to district-wide technology improvements, $44.7 million to replace field houses and improve athletic facilities, $35 million to renovate middle school restrooms and $17.3 million for district-wide safety and security improvements.
If approved by Houston voters on Nov. 6, a $0.0485 property tax increase is expected to begin in 2014. Design work for the schools would begin in 2013, with construction commencing in 2014.
Find out more about the proposed individual school projects here.
