Hays CISD to vote on $367M bond

HAYS COUNTY — Hays CISD voters will decide on more than $367 million worth of district-wide improvements through a bond election to be held on Saturday, May 6.

In August 2022, the Hays CISD Board of Trustees began the process of developing a 2023 bond. The board tasked the Facilities and Bond Oversight Committee (FBOC) to develop recommendations to present to the board regarding the need for a bond election. The FBOC is a committee that is a combination of citizens selected by members of the board and non-voting individuals that were invited by the administration.

This group was able to study the district's growth, facilities and other needs identified by the administration such as campus leadership, or committee members, and related financial considerations.

After its research over the facilities, the committee was able to present findings to the board in December 2022, which led to a vote to continue with the development process and a bond election to appear in categorized propositions on the May 6 ballot.

The projects in Proposition A ($208,814,047) will be focused on academic growth, which will include districtwide equipment, construction, furniture and technology to meet the needs of the increasing student population. This includes the construction of a 17th elementary school and design fees for an 18th elementary school.

Proposition B ($102,857,074) will focus on theater and fine arts, athletic, career and technical education, which will include the construction of new auditoriums with more seating and other indoor facilities to meet the needs of fine arts and athletics.

Proposition C ($3,980,000) will cover technology needs, such as more data storage and network security.

Lastly, Proposition D ($52,173,445) will cover the needs for outdoor multipurpose pavilions, which will include the installation of three covered pavilions with artificial turf.

The bond was set to keep up with the district’s exponential growth.

“This bond election is just to really keep pace with our growth. We're one of the fastest growing school districts in the state of Texas,” Hays CISD Superintendent Dr. Eric Wright said. “We're expected to add 1,500 new students next year.”

During its time studying the facilities, the FBOC found that Hays CISD is projected to continue experiencing significant growth over the next decade, which would require notable changes to the campuses to meet the academic needs of the students and the needs of faculty members.

The number of students currently enrolled is 22,162, which is inching closer to the 2023-24 school year capacity rate of 25,979, according to the district’s bond website. By 2029, the number of enrolled students is projected to increase to 32,920.

“Voters should pass this bond just so that our students will have the space that they need and so that we can keep up with growth,” Wright said. “It will also provide all of the space necessary to help with our school and the life balance of our kids.”

The board intends to use any unspent funds from bonds approved by voters after all the projects have been completed to pay down any existing debt, effectively reducing the debt service paid by taxpayers.

“I would just like to thank our members of the Facilities and Bond Oversight Committee, as well as the citizens in the community that, when we surveyed them, they responded with what they thought the needs of our faculty and staff are, or sharing their thoughts and input with us,” Wright said. “We have a 10-year master plan, which in today's dollars, is worth about $2.2 billion. And instead of doing all of the projects at one time, we are eating the elephant, one small bite at a time. So, we're trying to be respectful of that.”

If this bond is passed, there is no projection of a tax increase anticipated.

“If the item that they were hoping to see on this particular ballot is not there, it will probably be on the '25 or '26 bond moving forward,” Wright said.

To view the full bond information sheet, visit www.hayscisd.net/bond2023. Voting locations, times and a sample of the ballot can be found at www.hayscountytx.com/departments/elections/current-year-elections/may-6-2023-uniform-election.