During the July 29 Pasadena ISD school board meeting, the Board of Trustees approved a school bond election order. The election will be Nov. 4 with early voting Oct. 20 - 31. A list of polling locations will be available closer to Election Day.
The Board approved the 2014 Bond Package based on the recommendation of the Future Facilities Committee who has diligently engaged in conversations with the board, staff and community since September, 2013. Superintendent Dr. Kirk Lewis presented the board with the recommendations in a school board workshop on July 9 and again July 29. The $175.55 million no-tax-rate-increase bond election will provide replacement campuses, new campuses, additions to existing campuses, new technology and facility management.
Proposed Projects:
“The Future Facilities Committee’s recommendation is actually a completion of the needs identified for the 2011 bond,” said Superintendent of Schools Kirk Lewis. “To avoid a tax increase, we couldn’t include all the recommendations at that time.
“This package provides new campuses for future growth. It adds classrooms at existing high schools to address the crowding. And we will expand our Early College High School program at all five high schools after successfully piloting the program at Pasadena High School. We will be able to replace campuses built in the 1950s and 1960s. And finally, this bond will provide technology needs.”
The district’s financial advisors have determined that the $175.55 million proposition can be accomplished with no tax rate increase.
The Board has historically encouraged frugal management of District resources. As a result, the district has been repeatedly recognized. For the past five years, the Texas State Comptroller’s office has recognized Pasadena ISD with a Gold Leadership Circle Award for budget transparency. This year, the Comptroller honored the District with a new Platinum Leadership Award to recognize efforts of going above and beyond to show financial responsibility, ensure financial records are freely accessible to the public and meet an optimum level of financial transparency. Pasadena ISD was one of only 12 school districts in Texas to receive the new platinum financial transparency award.
District administrators are available to answer questions and share additional details about the proposed bond projects. To schedule an informative presentation for your community organization or civic club, please call 713.740.0248
713.740.0248.
Additional details are available on the Pasadena ISD school bond webpage: http://www1.pasadenaisd.org/2014schoolbond.