After a slate of bond proposals and a proposed tax increase was rejected in November, fast-growing East Central Independent School District is coming back to voters this May with a smaller ask.
The district is asking voters to approve bonds totaling $309 million for new schools — compared to the $331 million the district requested in November.
It’s also requesting an 8-cent property tax increase, compared to the 13-cent increase that failed in November, to fund new school buildings.
Unlike the November election, this year the bond proposals and tax increase will all appear as one ballot measure.
The bond proposal has three major parts:
- $208.8 million for a new high school
- $49.7 million for a new elementary school on the north end, and the remaining
- $50.5 million will be for a new elementary school on the district’s south side
The 8-cent property tax rate increase would take in 2027.
For the district’s average home, valued at $280,000, homestead exemption of $100,000, the homeowner 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.
While the district currently has a student enrollment of 11,622, East Central ISD’s enrollment is projected to balloon to 25,617 by 2033.
Brandon Oliver, a spokesman for East Central ISD, said the district will have to use portable classrooms if the bond does not pass in May.
Early voting runs April 22 through April 29 for the May 3 election, and voters can choose from any of these 46 early voting locations. Hours vary by date and location.
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After failure of 13-cent bond proposal, East Central ISD goes back to voters with a smaller ask
