NEW YORK – Voters in Texas yesterday gave approval to most school districts seeking to sell bonds, according to unofficial results, with the Dallas Independent School District earning the right to issue bonds for its $1.35 billion construction and renovation program.
It was a split decision from voters in the Lewisville ISD, who faced $776.7 million in two propositions. The larger $697 million bond proposal, which would fund new schools, renovations, technology updates and land purchases, was passed, while plans for a $79 million events center was rejected by voters.
About 300 votes provided the difference in the Klein ISD, according to published reports, which said the $647 million bond package, which included building two schools, each budgeted at more than $100 million passed with 52% of the vote, according to unofficial tallies.
Following a $279 million bond package approval four years ago, Conroe ISD voters showed their support for the district by giving permission for another $527 million of bonds, according to unofficial results.
Plano ISD voters said yes to a $490 million bond sale to pay for four new schools and renovations.
Lone Star College District voters appear to have approved a $420 million bond plan, as early results indicate.
Voters in Austin ISD passed a total of $343.7 million bonds in three propositions, with none getting less than 69% of voter support, according to the unofficial results.
San Jacinto Community College District will get its new science buildings, physical education facilities and campus libraries as voters appear to have approved a $295 million bond package for the district.
Longview ISD voters approved $267 million of bonds, according to the Longview News-Journal, which reported the margin of victory was 14 votes, with a final tally of 50.23% to 49.77%.
NorthWest ISD got enough support to allow it to sell the $260 million of bonds it proposed, with nearly 72% of voter approving the measure, according to the unofficial tally.
Humble ISD voters approved a $250 million bond package for constructing three schools and land acquisition for future schools.
Comal ISD voters green-lighted $205.9 million of bonds, by a 70%-30% margin.
In Waco ISD the $172.5 million bond plan was approved by a 3-to-2 margin.
In the city of Fort Worth, voters appear to have approved a $150 million street bond plan, with unofficial tallies showing 68% of voters favoring the plan.
A mixed decision was recorded in the Hutto ISD, with 50.3% approving the $128.5 million bond issue, and 55.5% rejecting the $9.95 million offering, with all precincts reporting.
Voters in Seguin ISD rejected most of a $126.9 million bond package, turning down the $84.7 million request to build a high school, with about 57% rejecting the spending. The $5.4 million plan for constructing an elementary school and the $29.9 million of bonds for renovations appear to have been approved with about 51% of the vote.
Edinburg ISD voters approved $111.9 million to build six schools and renovate one. Voters also approved a plan to refinance about $37 million of outstanding bonds issued 10 years ago, which hadn’t received voter authorization. The district would save about $2 million.
Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD will get the $105.8 million bonds it asked voters to approve.
Crosby ISD voters rejected the $103.5 million bond plan put before them, according to the Houston Chronicle.
Voters in Azle ISD rejected a $99.8 million renovation plan, with more than two-thirds of voters turning thumbs down, according to the unofficial tally.
With only 2 votes, Travis Co. MUD 12 passed an $84 million maintenance and construction bond plan and $53 million for parks and recreation. MUD 13 approve $166 million of bonds.
Abilene ISD voters nixed the $83.55 million bond package.
Highland Park ISD voters, who hadn’t seen a bond measure in nearly a decade, overwhelmingly approved the $75.4 million of bonds on the ballot.
Voters in the city of Baytown reauthorized a 0.25% sales tax increase for street maintenance.
Voters in San Antonio approved four proposals to use visitor taxes to pay for $415 million in civic improvement projects for the area, according to published reports.
Bexar County voters reauthorized a hotel-occupancy tax of up to 1.75% and car-rental tax of up to 5% in four propositions to fund improvements to the San Antonio River, new youth and amateur athletic facilities, renovations of arts centers, and upgrades to rodeo grounds and arenas, including the AT&T Center, according to published reports. The arenas proposal had the least support, with 57% of voters backing the plan, while the river improvements and youth facilities plans each received more than 70% of the vote.
