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The Elgin Independent School District agreed to move forward and bring a bond vote to residents for some much-needed expansions.
School Board members approved to call for a $375 million bond election, set for May 4, a uniform election date under the Texas Election Code, to address the district’s rapid student enrollment growth.
“[$375 million] is a lot of money. We just approved a bond in 2021, it was very clear on where that money was going, so we need to be just as clear on this bond for where that money is going so that our community will get behind the bond,” said Superintendent of Schools Jana Rueter.
The bond package was developed by the District’s Citizens’ Bond Committee and will be presented to voters in two different propositions.
Proposition A authorizes Elgin ISD to issue $366 million in bonds for new elementary and middle schools, high school capacity improvements, priority maintenance, general campus upgrades, athletic improvements, new and additional buses, land acquisition and a second phase of renovations for the district’s new transportation building.
Proposition B would see Elgin ISD issue an additional $9 million in bonds for career, arts and technology programs, as well as press box renovations that will support CTE and AV courses, enhance safety, add an elevator and bring in a new scoreboard with video display.
If the bond package is approved by voters, there will be no tax rate increase associated with this bond because of the district’s rapid growth and financial responsibility with previous bond debt, according to the board.
The committee that developed this proposal was made up of parents, district and campus staff, community members and business leaders. Committee members met over four months to consider the educational and facility needs of students in Elgin ISD. The committee studied enrollment projections, reviewed and prioritized district facility needs, analyzed results from a community survey and learned about district financials.
“I am thankful for the community members who served on our Bond Planning Committee to support our compelling purpose that every student has access to engaging, innovative learning experiences, so that they are provided choice and opportunity for their future,” added Rueter.
The deadline to register to vote in the May 2024 election is April 4, early voting runs from April 22 through April 30.
District representatives will be informing the Elgin ISD community about the upcoming bond in a series of face-to-face events in the coming months.
For more information regarding the proposed projects and to learn more about how to register to vote, please visit www.elginisdbond.org.
