Residents of Garland, Rowlett and Sachse will have an extra item to consider on the May 6, ballot. At a special meeting Feb. 14, the Garland ISD board of trustees approved calling for a bond election. If passed, the bond would modernize aging facilities, enhance student safety and provide additional infrastructure upgrades for GISD students.
Bond proposal includes three propositions totaling $1.279 billion.
Proposition A allocates $1.103 billion for safety and security upgrades including forced-entry-resistant film at all campus main entrances, safety perimeter fencing at all campuses and removal of all elementary school portables, four replacement, energy-efficient elementary campuses, and renovations and improvements to all existing schools, high-priority capital improvements such as two new Americans with Disabilities Act accessible playgrounds with canopies at every elementary school, new Memorial Pathway Academy/Student Services Center, expansion of the Gilbreath-Reed Career & Technology Center, fine arts and athletics improvements, refreshed high school auditoriums, new athletic field houses for each high school, new turf baseball and softball fields for each high school, middle school boys and girls locker room renovations, new transportation center, HVAC and roofing, new Network Operations Center and a new Agriculture Sciences facility.
Proposition B provides $135.9 million for multiprogram activity centers at all high school campuses. These centers will be utilized by marching bands, drill teams, cheerleaders, special education students, athletics teams, and many others during periods of rain, snow, extreme heat or cold and other weather concerns.
Proposition C designates $40.6 million for 1:1 student and staff device refresh.
The average age of GISD buildings is 44 years old, and an independent assessment conducted by school facilities experts found that the district has over $3 billion in necessary repairs and upgrades. This figure does not include regular maintenance that the district already performs.
The proposed $1.279 billion bond would address the needs identified by the independent assessment. Further, it is based on suggestions from a diverse committee of over 80 community members. The group gave recommendations to the GISD Trustees at a school board committee meeting Jan. 10.
The school district plans to spend bond money on safety enhancements, facility equity upgrades, infrastructure investments and expanded student career opportunities.
On May 6, residents in GISD will vote whether to approve the district’s $1.279 billion bond proposal. The last day of voter registration is April 6, and early voting begins April 24.
If voters approve the bond package, GISD will adopt an estimated property tax rate increase of $0.0661 in the future. However, residents of the district who are 65 years and older will not be affected by this tax rate increase. Their tax rates can be capped once they file the appropriate forms with the county appraisal district. 100% disabled American Veterans pay no property taxes.
GISD has the fifth lowest property tax rates for school districts in Dallas County.
Visit www.garlandisd.net/bond2023 for more information.
Information provided by Garland ISD.