Voters passed a $309 million bond proposal from East Central Independent School District for the construction of three new schools Saturday, with about 66% of the vote.
This is after a slate of bond proposals, which would’ve resulted in a 13-cent property tax rate increase for homeowners in the district, was rejected last November.
“We are very grateful for the generosity of our community. This bond allows us to meet growing demand and continue providing safe, high-quality learning environments,” East Central ISD Superintendent Roland Toscano said in a statement.
By the 2033-34 school year, the district’s enrollment of 11,622 is expected to grow to 25,617, and schools are already facing overcrowding.
The district also expects several of its campuses — including East Central High School and Honor, Tradition, Harmony and Oak Crest elementary schools — will be at 120% capacity by 2028.
At Harmony Elementary, which sits on unincorporated land in Bexar County off U.S. Highway 181 South, some classes have to eat lunch on the cafeteria’s stage because there isn’t enough room.
East Central High currently has 3,000 students enrolled and is projected to have more than 4,200 by 2027, exceeding the school’s current capacity by nearly 30%.
Before Honor Elementary opened in 2024, a result of the district’s 2022 bond, Tradition Elementary in Saint Hedwig held classes in portables or temporary buildings on the school grounds.
With the May bond, the district can build three new schools meant to relieve overcrowding: a new high school on the district’s southern side, off Old Corpus Christi and Donop roads, costing $208.87 million; a new elementary school on the district’s northern side, west of Loop 1604, costing $49.73 million; and a second new elementary school on the district’s south side near Hildebrandt Road, costing $50.55 million.
The May 3 proposal will result in an 8-cent property tax rate increase for homeowners in the district, a number district officials arrived at after surveying community members and finding they would be more likely to vote in favor of a bond proposal incurring a tax rate increase under 10 cents.
“I’m thrilled the school bond passed,” Cassandra Barron, an East Central ISD parent volunteer who campaigned to get the bond approved, told the Report on election night. “This is a significant milestone in addressing overcrowding and enhancing our schools.”
Homeowners can expect to see the tax property increase by 2027: $0.0875 per $100 of taxable value on homeowners, or less than 9 cents. Someone with a $280,000 home and a Homestead Exemption of $100,000, would see a property tax increase of $13 a month or $157 annually by 2027.
Homeowners who are 100% disabled veterans, over the age of 65 or below the exemption level won’t see a tax increase at all.
The projected completion date for the new East Central ISD elementary school on the district’s north side is July 2027. Construction for the southern elementary school and the high school is expected to be done by July 2028.
Andrea Drusch contributed to this report.
