This story has been updated.

Two school districts are asking voters to approve bond issues totaling $621 million in the upcoming May election to address aging buildings, security, technology needs and athletic facilities.

Bexar County voters have had a mixed history of approving bond issues in recent years, with two school districts getting their bond proposals approved in 2022 following defeat in the previous election.

Southwest Independent School District’s new superintendent, Jeanette Ball, oversaw the passage of a $345.3 million bond in Judson ISD last year, before abruptly resigning in November. Moments after signing a contract with Southwest ISD, Ball told the San Antonio Report that she was excited about the prospect of passing another bond.

Here’s what the districts have planned if voters approve the proposals:

Southwest ISD

Southwest ISD’s board of trustees voted to put two proposals on the May 6 ballot totaling $250 million to address “growth, safety and equity.”

Proposition A, a $243.25 million bond issue, will fund projects including: 

  • Two new elementary schools and classroom wing additions at Southwest Legacy High School and Bob Hope Elementary School.
  • Construction of a professional development student center.
  • Funding for school safety upgrades to all existing campuses, such as access control surveillance cameras, perimeter fencing, door hardware and protective window film.
  • Campus improvements to plumbing, heating, electrical, air conditioning and learning spaces.
  •  Replacing outdated buses.

Proposition B seeks $6.75 million for updates and renovations at Southwest High School stadium, including a new press box and renovations of the concession stands and restrooms.

In the 2018 election, 68% of voters approved a bond package, that raised more than $75 million to make investments in learning spaces and to open an aquatic center. 

As of January 2023, all the 2018 bond projects have been completed, according to the district.

Alamo Heights Independent School District

The Alamo Heights ISD board of trustees voted unanimously Thursday to place three separate proposals totaling $371 million on the May 6 ballot.

Superintendent Dana Bashara said in a statement that the proposal is the result of “an inclusive and comprehensive process that included conducting facility assessments, gathering input from AHISD stakeholders, studying the Master Plan for Facilities designed in 2016, and continuing the planning started in our last bond in 2017.”

Proposition A, a $344 million bond issue, will fund projects including: 

  • Updates and renovations to all campuses.
  • Technology infrastructure improvements.
  • Safety and security.
  • New school buses.
  • New Early Childhood Center building.
  • Renovations to the original building of Alamo Heights High School.
  • New central office and learning center.
  • Softball field located at the Robbins campus complex that already includes a natatorium and tennis center.
  • Additional parking and traffic flow improvements.

The majority of campuses were built in the 1950s, according to the bond website.

Proposition B, a $17.3 million bond issue, will fund projects including: 

  • Visitor bleacher/athletic facility at Orem Stadium, which includes multipurpose meeting space, team spaces, visitors locker rooms and student sports media program equipment.

The visitor side of the stadium was constructed in 1947 and was not addressed in previous bonds, according to the district’s bond website.

Proposition C seeks $9.7 million for projects including: 

  • Replacement technology for students and staff as part of ongoing lifecycle replacements.

Other funding will go to restrooms and concessions.

Full presentations on bond elections are available on bond websites for each campus. 

Election day is on May 6. Early voting will begin on April 24 and end on May 2.
The deadline to register to vote is April 6.

Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly included information on a bond package for the Edgewood Independent School District in Edgewood, Texas. The Edgewood Independent School District in the San Antonio-area is not calling a bond election.