Voters approve some Gregory-Portland, Calallen school bonds
Coastal Bend school districts are looking forward to school improvement projects after voters approved school bonds during Saturday's election.
Bond elections were successful in Calallen ISD, Gregory-Portland ISD, Port Aransas ISD and Odem-Edroy ISD.
For full election results and unofficial vote tallies, visit Caller.com.
Gregory-Portland ISD
At Gregory-Portland ISD, voters approved a nearly $176 million bond package, the district's second try after a similar but larger bond package failed last fall. This time, the district focused on informing voters about the projects and understanding the financial impact, Superintendent Michelle Cavazos said.
About 65% of more than 2,000 voters approved the bond, according to unofficial results. Final results will be compiled this week.
"These election results reveal that our community actively supports our students, staff, and the long-term advancement of public schools," Cavazos said in a news release.
Bond projects include:
Nearly $50 million to rebuild T. M. Clark Elementary School
About $11 million for Gregory-Portland High School cafeteria additions and culinary program expansion
About $26.5 million to upgrade the district maintenance and transportation facility and add a family resource center
About $22 million for baseball and softball replacement fields
About $20 million for fine arts facility upgrades at G-P High School, including a new band hall
Nearly $7 million to add hands-on learning experiences at district elementary schools
About $2 million for Stephen F. Austin Elementary School cafeteria renovations
$4 million in deferred maintenance
$2 million for safety and security projects
More than $30 million in reimbursements for projects completed with maintenance and operations funds
The district's interest and sinking tax rate will not increase as a result of the bond. More than 90% of the bond project will be paid by local industry, according to the district.
"We are extremely fortunate at this time in our history to be able to offer this bond with no increase to the total tax rate due to industrial growth in our area, and we know that these kinds of opportunities will not always be available in the future," Cavazos said.
Voters also filled three seats on the eight-member Gregory-Portland ISD board of trustees, reelecting incumbents Tim Flinn and Carrie Gregory and adding newcomer Lora DeLuna. Departing board member Dean Atkinson, who was appointed to fill a vacancy last year, did not seek reelection.
Cavazos said the district will begin work on the bond projects quickly and will begin with requests for proposals in the coming weeks.
For the T.M. Clark rebuild, Cavazos said the district will start by moving the baseball and softball fields so that a new campus can be built alongside the current campus without interrupting learning.
The district will post a timeline online at www.g-pisd.org by the end of May where members of the public can keep up with progress on the projects.
More: Gregory-Portland ISD is trying for another bond in May. Here's what it would fund.
Calallen ISD
In Calallen ISD, one of two bond propositions was approved.
Voters passed Proposition A, an over $55 million package covering safety and security upgrades, academic and fine arts improvements and maintenance, but did not approve Proposition B, which would have raised more than $12.5 million for stadium and athletic upgrades.
Superintendent Emily Lorenz said there was some disappointment that the stadium upgrades were not approved, but that the district was "very excited" the community supported the academic and facility-focused projects.
Proposition A is the largest bond in district history.
Both propositions were crafted by a bond committee of school and community stakeholders.
At Calallen High School, the district plans to convert the current small auditorium into office and classroom space and to build a nearly $20.5 million performing arts facility behind the band hall to replace the old theater.
Other projects at Calallen High School include a renovation of the career and technical education building, cafeteria, plumbing and fencing and exterior lighting upgrades and a general interior remodel of some older sections of the building.
At Calallen Middle School, projects include security upgrades and a library renovation. Magee Intermediate School is slated for security upgrades, playground turf and a new track, while West Intermediate School can expect fencing upgrades, playground turf and a pavilion addition.
More: Calallen ISD is calling for $67.8 million bond election in May. Here's what it would fund.
East Elementary School will receive a general exterior and interior remodel, a bus lane addition, cafeteria improvements, new furniture, a playground turf and improved fencing and lighting. Wood River Elementary School will receive a new track, playground turf, cafeteria improvements and many of the same security and fencing and lighting updates as the other schools, plus a general remodel.
The package also includes $3 million of deferred maintenance district-wide and additional bus parking.
The district's bond advisory council will determine the priority and timeline of projects, but Lorenz said she expects safety and security upgrades to come first.
The average home value in Calallen ISD is $175,506. For this homeowner, the impact of Proposition A is an increase of $57.24.
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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Voters approve some Gregory-Portland, Calallen school bonds
