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Many sound reasons to support BISD bond issue
Published October 28, 2009
Dear Brazosport ISD community, more than 10 years ago, I moved to Lake Jackson with my family.
My husband was transferred to this area with a local contractor. The biggest reason I chose Lake Jackson to raise my children was the school district. The selling point of our area was and still should be BISD.
I support the upcoming bond election for BISD and the future of this district. I am a fifth-grade teacher in Lake Jackson and I see from the “inside” things our facilities need. This bond will provide much-needed new elementary schools, classroom additions to several schools, and a much-needed face-lift to almost all schools, and so much more that will help in keeping our students safe and secure in their surroundings.
When I first heard about a bond election and raising my taxes, I thought the district was crazy. Times are hard. My own home has been affected like many others; my husband is working between two states now. How could I find the money to pay for more taxes? But I attended a meeting and educated myself with the facts of the bond. I found out the following:
• My taxes in 2003 were at a tax rate of $1.79; in 2006 they were at a rate of $1.57; estimated highest rate for new bond will be in year 2011 and it will be $1.40. It will be lower than in the past.
• An average house appraised at $111,771 will see an increase in taxes during the highest year of $149.12, maximum.
• BISD has been approved for stimulus dollars. If the bond passes now, we will receive 0 to 1 percent interest loans and save the taxpayer more than $9 million dollars in interest alone. It’s like Cash for Clunkers … Cash for buildings! We can apply for the second round of monies, and if we get those dollars, we save even more in interest.
• BISD pays out roughly 33 cents per dollar to the “Robin Hood” concept. All bond monies remain in the district. With the maintenance portion of the bond, we will be able to do more with our monies.
Times are hard, but things are looking up. Dow and BASF announced a jump in earnings from last year. To quote an article on BASF from Oct. 15 in The Facts, “Recovery remains ‘slow’ and ‘fragile’ and the coming months will be hard to predict.” However, I do know that gray clouds are going to clear up, and it’s time to put on a happy face.
We must vote “for” BISD kids now. Our community always rises above challenges and pulls together to do what is right. I know in my heart if you educate yourself with the facts, you will make the best decision for the children. They are our future … they are BISD. Be a part of BISD tradition and go vote “for.”
Rachel Seymour is a Lake Jackson resident.
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