The board of directors for the Mildred Independent School District last week called a $13.9 million general obligation bond election for Nov. 7, marking the second time in as many years that the district will ask voters for a debt authorization.
Eighteen months ago, the district, located southeast of Dallas, lost a similarly sized bond election.
To try to guard against another defeat, trustees opted to split the election into three propositions. The first would encompass only academic facilities, including a new elementary school and renovations to current facilities, worth a total of $11 million. The second bond question, worth $1.5 million, is comprised of funding for a new band hall and theater, and the third ballot item, worth $1.2 million, includes funding for a new field house and upgrades to athletic facilities.
In addition, the district hopes that property tax relief measures approved by the Texas Legislature earlier this year will spur generosity on the part of voters. Lawmakers replaced traditional property tax revenue with a host of new taxes, and local property taxes will be reduced to $1 per $100 of assessed valuation from $1.50 per $100 over the next three years, with the first cuts coming in 2007.
