Houston ISD proposes $4.4 billion bond to renovate and rebuild schools and fund education programs

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Houston ISD is seeking voter support on a massive $4.4 billion bond proposal.

It’s the district’s largest request for money ever, but HISD says it won’t come with a tax increase.

The district will use proceeds from a future bond election to replenish its general fund with money it uses to finance the bond.

Portable buildings are a common sight in HISDs meant to be temporary, but the ones at Crane Elementary have been in use for 25 years.

Former HISD Board President Judith Cruz told ABC13 these buildings pose problems.

“The amount of maintenance required, I mean, sometimes they have to cancel tutoring because of leaks,” Cruz said.

She now co-chairs a community advisory committee that will solicit feedback on the district’s bond proposal, which totals a whopping $4.4 billion.

HISD has not had a bond since 2012.

“It’s not just a matter of saying ‘OK, we accept this plan as is,’ we want thoughtful feedback so we can make sure the administration is thoughtful in what they’re proposing,” he said. Cruz said.

The plan is to invest just over $2 billion in rebuilding or renovating secondary and elementary schools.

Another $1.35 billion would go toward upgrading HVAC systems, securing campuses and testing water and air quality.

The rest would be spent on early childhood education, technology and job training.

“If you really ask kids how their school year is going, they’ll tell you it’s not going well, and it’s not because of their facilities, it’s because of the Miles administration. “It’s because of the takeover, it’s because of the scorched earth policy, and our teachers are suffering and so are our school leaders,” Tracey Riley said.

Riley has two elementary school-aged students in the district.

She is one of many people to express disapproval of Superintendent Mike Miles and the HISD board, which replaced the district’s superintendent and school board elected in June 2023.

“As much as it pains me to see Houston students go another year without bail, we really don’t have confidence. I agree with the sentiment ‘no confidence, no bail,'” Riley said .

Data released by Children At Risk shows that 55% of Houston-area schools performed lower in the nonprofit’s annual rankings in 2023 compared to 2022.

CEO Dr. Bob Sanborn said children would only benefit from passing this proposal because it would make improvements that would outlast the current administration.

“If we want this new superintendent and this new board to have the best chance of success, we will probably have to pass this bond issue,” Sanborn said.

“I think ultimately the bill will pass, but a lot more people will vote against it than in the past,” Sanborn added.

The next HISD Facilities Status and Bond Investment Project meeting will take place online Saturday from 10-11 a.m.

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