Judson considers bond vote

A recent telephone survey of voters in the Judson Independent School District found a majority in the San Antonio school district would support a May 2013 bond request to build two schools.

The current tax rate could support up to $80 million of additional general obligation bonds with no increase, school officials said.

The survey found 62% of the 300 voters contacted would support a bond referendum that did not require a tax increase, but 42% believe the district’s financial management is wasteful and inefficient.

Superintendent Willis Mackey said the district could build a high school for $53 million to $63 million to accommodate 1,600 students. The school could later be expanded to a capacity of 2,300 students.

An elementary school is also needed, Mackey said, at a cost of $17 million.

Judson Independent School District voters rejected a $198 million bond request in 2010 to build a high school and three elementary schools.

The district’s $398 million of outstanding debt is rated AA-minus by Fitch Ratings and Aa2 by Moody’s Investors Service. The debt is enhanced to triple-A by its coverage from the Texas Permanent School Fund.

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