Bond 2022
The Texas City ISD Board of Trustees unanimously called for a $158.6 million school bond election to be held on November 8, 2022. This figure includes two new replacement schools, a new Ag barn, a STEM/Robotics Center and new La Marque stadium, district-wide initiatives in safety and security, plus renovations for Texas City High School athletics, fine arts and career tech programs. This action came after a recommendation from the community Facilities Advisory Committee (FAC), which was made up of more than 50 Texas City-La Marque community members. This committee spent more than 3 months studying current facilities, educational programs, student population and the district's long-range facilities plan.
The FAC recommended replacing the following buildings: La Marque High School at a cost of $79.9 million, Calvin Vincent Early Childhood Learning Center at a cost of $37 million and a new Ag Barn at a cost of $7 million. In addition, the FAC recommended district-wide initiatives: safety and security at a cost of $1.3 million and STEM/Robotics Center at a cost of $1.3 million. Other recommendations include: new La Marque High School stadium at a cost of $21.7 million, Texas City High School stadium renovations at a cost of $5.7 million, Texas City High School fine arts improvements at a cost of $2.2 million and Texas City High School career tech labs at a cost of $2 million.
"We started this process by asking our educators what we want educational programming to look like for our students," said Superintendent Dr. Melissa Duarte. "Then we had to make sure we had facilities that support the academic goals for our students. We are so grateful to the men and women who have been dedicating months to this process for the betterment of our students, our teachers, our schools and our community overall."
Should voters approve the bond referendum, taxpayers should not see an additional tax rate increase. “We are in a unique situation because the maintenance and operations tax rate is decreasing, offsetting a recent increase in the debt service tax rate,” said Margaret Lee, Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations.
Informational community meetings will be held to communicate facts about the projects. If you would like to schedule a speaker to present factual information to your group, please call Melissa Tortorici at 409-916-0114.
The District maintains a very strong “AA” rating from S&P Global Ratings and it is anticipated that any bonds issued will be guaranteed by the Texas Education Agency’s Permanent School Fund Guarantee, which maintains a “AAA” rating (the highest rating possible), resulting in favorable interest rates on the District's bonds.
Thank you, voters, for your support! Both Propositon A and Proposition B passed.
The results were canvassed by the board on Nov. 14, 2022, at 8 a.m.
Proposition A
61.72% For 38.28% Against
Proposition B
52.58% For 47.42% Against