School bonds, ESD props on the ballot

Apr. 22—Residents living in the areas of Springtown, Brock, Garner and Aledo will have the opportunity to weigh in on bonds affecting each of those ISDs in the May 6 election.

In addition, those in East Parker County and Palo Pinto will see propositions from two local Emergency Services Districts.

Here's a little more information on each ballot item:

Aledo ISD bond

Aledo ISD is proposing a bond package of $123.8 million. Included in the proposal is a new elementary school ($59.8 million) to be located on district-owned property northwest of the new McAnally Middle School, additions/repurposed high school space ($20.2 million), replacement furniture for students in grades ninth through 12th ($5 million), safety and security ($5 million), technology ($6.5 million), maintenance ($5 million), school buses ($4.5 million), and land for future school sites, including additional high school facilities ($17.8 million).

The additions/repurposed high school space would include additional ag barn space and a new multi-purpose addition and repurposed space that would create flexibility for programs like band, color guard, cheerleading, dance, engineering/robotics, wrestling and other programs in need of large learning spaces and locker room/changing space. Renovations to AHS include restrooms, library, lecture hall, auditorium, kitchen serving lines, new flooring and paint in classrooms, and new paint and wall finishes in hallways.

Aledo ISD ended the 2021-22 school year with nearly 7,400 students, and enrollment projections show the district could have more than 17,400 students in the next decade, according to demographer PASA.

If the bond passes, there would be a 2.5-cent I&S tax rate increase, or an impact of roughly $89 per year for a home valued at $407,000.

AISD's overall tax rate has decreased more than 20 cents in the last four years, with an M&O tax rate reduction expected again in 2023-24, according to the district.

Visit www.aledoisd.org/bond for more information.

Garner ISD bond

Garner ISD is proposing two bond propositions, at a total of $18.4 million, for new facilities and future land use.

Proposition A, in the amount of $15.4 million, would fund a new cafeteria and kitchen, which would also serve as a storm shelter, as well as a new multipurpose gymnasium.

Proposition B, at $3 million, includes land for future needs, should land become available within the district's boundaries.

According to a stat sheet provided by the district, Garner ISD, which expanded from serving students through eighth grade to adding ninth and 10th grades last year, now has a total of 325 students.

The tax impact, using a rate of $0.285, is expected to be an annual increase of roughly $450 on a home valued at $200,000, less a $40,000 homestead exemption. The current total tax rate, at $0.917 combining the M&O and I&S rates, would be $1.203 if the bond is passed. Voters over 65 with a homestead exemption would not sustain a tax increase.

For more information on the proposed bond, visit garnerisdbond2023.com.

Springtown ISD

The district is proposing a bond of $120,780,000, which includes funding for a new middle school for grades sixth through eighth, renovations to help the current middle school become a ninth grade campus, restructuring of the elementary schools to make the current intermediate building become a fourth elementary, restroom additions and renovations to the current intermediate building and land acquisition.

According to data from the Texas Education Agency, Springtown ISD has already surpassed 2023's projection of 4,000 students, with a current enrollment of 4,135 and a projected enrollment of more than 4,800 by 2028. Bond passage would allow accommodation of more than 1,450 new students, according to a district fact sheet.

If passed, the bond would have a tax impact increase of $464 annually on a $200,000 home with a $40,000 homestead exemption. Voters over 65 with a homestead exemption would not sustain a tax increase.

Visit springtownisdbond2023.com for more information.

Brock ISD

Brock ISD trustees approved the calling for a $69 million bond election broken down into three propositions.

Proposition A, at $49.8 million, includes a new elementary school, safety and security upgrades, replacing the wastewater treatment plant for the intermediate and junior high, purchase of land for future growth and new or replacement buses.

Proposition B, at $18.5 million, includes a multipurpose student center for fine arts and career and tech students, indoor turf for football, band, color guard and other student organizations, and a weight room.

Proposition C, at $700,000, would replace the current turf at Eagle Stadium.

Brock's elementary and intermediate campuses, with a combined 1,227 students, are already over capacity, according to a district stat sheet. Brock ISD, which has a total current enrollment of 2,413, is projected to be over capacity at all of its campuses by 2027.

The total tax rate is not expected to increase if the bond passes, as the district's I&S rate will increase but current state laws are expected to lower the M&O rate. The current total tax rate is $1.3903 per $100 property valuation.

Voters over 65 with a homestead exemption would not sustain a tax increase.

ESD propositions

ESD 1 in Palo Pinto has a proposition which, in its significant portion, asks voters to OK "an increase in the maximum ad valorem tax rate" ... "not to exceed 8 cents..."

However, proponents point out accurately that state tax prevents any increase that would draw 3.5 percent more tax revenue. Known as the tax-cap act, Senate Bill 2 triggers an automatic rollback election on certain entities that raise their tax rate by enough to draw 3.5 percent more money from taxpayers than the previous year's tax rate generated.

The district's 2.66-cent rate is likely to keep falling despite Proposition A unless property values reverse their upward trend.

ESD 1 in Parker County will have two propositions on the ballot related to coverage of the eastern part of the county.

Proposition AA includes adding the East Parker County area to ESD 1, and Proposition BB, if the first is passed, calls for a vote for, or against, the "East Parker County Area assuming its proportionate share of the outstanding debts and taxes of Parker County ESD 1" if added to the district, according to the ballot.

ESD 1 Commissioner Mark Jack said ESD 1 received a petition to annex the unincorporated area around Reno and any other areas of East Parker County that were not in a municipality or ESD.

He said the ESD had already been serving those areas, though they were never officially annexed into ESD 1's district.