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Voters reject Brazosport ISD bond issue
Published November 4, 2009
CLUTE — Though Brazosport ISD officials hoped to revamp the district, voters decided the current school buildings are good enough for now.
Residents voted down the $166 million proposed bond that was set to replace three schools, add classrooms and gyms and build a districtwide natatorium, among other improvements. But Brazosport ISD officials say the vote was not against the bond, but the passage of this bond during a tough economic time.
Unofficial results show the bond was rejected with 2,696 votes against it, or 55 percent, and 2,190 for the bond, or 45 percent.
“It breaks my heart as a parent of children in BISD and as a teacher,” said Rachel Seymour, a member of For BISD Kids, a group dedicated to promoting the bond.
For BISD Kids members, Brazosport ISD officials and board members met at iAD Architects’ office in Lake Jackson to wait for the results Tuesday night.
Though they still were hopeful after early voting results were announced, they quickly were disappointed with the final results.
If the bond had passed, A.P. Beutel, T.W. Ogg and Jane Long elementaries would have been replaced with the bond money. Nine other elementary schools would have received a gymnasium, something few currently have. Other schools would have seen classroom additions, doing away with the need for portable buildings and the safety hazards they provide, district officials said.
Though the election didn’t bring the result For BISD Kids Chairwoman Kimberly Starr wanted, she expects to see a similar bond proposed in the future, when economic times are better, Starr said.
District officials and board members were encouraged by the close vote.
“I do believe that our community stands behind our kids,” Starr said.
The district will evaluate reasons the bond did not pass and try to address the issues, Financial Director Dan Schaefer said.
“The needs aren’t going to go away,” Schaefer said.
BISD Board President Jay Luce specifically was concerned about maintenance problems that will not be fixed because the maintenance bond was wrapped up in the overall infrastructure bond, Luce said. He expects the board to at least put the maintenance portion back on the ballot in May or next November, he said.
“Everything we asked for is needed,” Luce said.
New fine arts wings were planned to be built at Lanier Middle School and Brazoswood High School. Brazoswood also would have seen a new library, and a districtwide natatorium would have been built on its campus to replace the school’s current pool and host competitive swimming and diving events for both high schools.
Until officials get their wish and with it some new school buildings, teachers will continue to do what they do best: teach students, Ripple said.
“We will go forward from here and create the best opportunity for every student in our district,” Ripple said. “Though disappointed, we will have school tomorrow.”
Katlynn Lanham covers Brazosport ISD for The Facts. Contact her at 979-237-0150.
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