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Alvin ISD voters OK $70 million bond issue
Published November 4, 2009
ALVIN — Voters approved a $70 million bond issue offered by Alvin ISD on Tuesday that will build new campuses, renovate existing schools and lay the groundwork for more.
The issue passed with 2,816 of voters, or 54.7 percent, voting for it while 2,329, or 45.3 percent opposed, according to unofficial results. The vote is not official until certified.
Turnout was sparse as 5,145 of 40,870 registered voters cast ballots, according to the Brazoria County Elections Department.
The district sought the $70 million in bonds to build an elementary school and a middle school, to replace Mark Twain Elementary, and to purchase land and pay for design work for the district’s third high school and 15th elementary school.
The money would be part of a $112 million package, with $42 million coming from previously approved bonds. Of the funds, about $20 million will be used for renovations such as replacing some campus roofs, adding buses and improving technology.
“We hope the passing vote shows we studied the facts,” Superintendent Robby McGowen said. “They voted for what was best for the district.”
Opponents said while the district is having intense student population growth, it is not the right economic climate to seek $70 million.
“I’m disappointed,” Alvin resident W. Edward Murphy said. “I don’t think the schools are making good use of the money.”
District officials said the money is needed to accommodate an overwhelming increase in students, especially in areas west of Highway 288. Campuses in that area are growing at 12 percent a year.
Trustees already have approved design elements for the district’s 14th elementary school, which will be built on a 15-acre site north of Broadway in the Shadow Creek Ranch subdivision.
The district also is planning to close on a 70-acre site in Shadow Creek Ranch to build the third high school.
The district’s first priority from bonds approved Tuesday likely will be renovations for Alvin and E.C. Mason elementaries, McGowen said.
“We’ll start a couple of the roof projects in the next few weeks,” he said.
Construction on the new campuses probably will start this summer, McGowen said.
Opponents said the district is planning too early, and they are asking for funds before the campuses are needed. While the student population is increasing, property values in the district are going up every year, driving up property taxes, Murphy said.
The district shouldn’t start building more campuses until revenue from an increased tax base starts rolling in, Murphy said.
“As they’re growing they’re getting more tax revenue,” he said.
John Tompkins is senior reporter for The Facts. Contact him at 979-849-8581.
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