Citizens select Flores, Vela Jr. for Hays CISD school board, pass 3 of 4 bonds
HAYS COUNTY — Approximately 12,176 Hays County citizens turned out on Saturday, May 6 for the election, which would determine who would fill positions on the Hays CISD Board of Trustees and approve or deny four bonds proposed by the district for new facilities and equipment.
Johnny Flores (241 votes, 65.85%) was elected to the Hays CISD Board of Trustees District 2 seat, besting his opponent, Esmeralda Pérez-González (125 votes, 34.15%).
“I feel honored to have the privilege of serving the students, parents and taxpayers in District 2,” Flores said. “As a trustee, I hope to strengthen the bridge between our schools and our community. There are so many issues we are facing in Hays CISD. I hope to be part of a collective vision to close the achievement gap in this district, fight the fentanyl epidemic and effectively manage the rapid growth that is occurring. I look forward to working with my fellow trustees to achieve these goals.”
Raul Vela Jr. (201 votes, 73.90%) was also selected to fill the District 1 seat over Bill Ward (71 votes, 26.10%).
"I'm honored in my reelection for Hays CISD Board of Trustees District 1," said Vela Jr. " I am excited for the passing of three of our proposed bonds to respond to the fast growth and needs of our district. I want to thank my family, fellow board members and their families, and the TSTA for their support and endorsements. I am proud of the higher number of voters in District 1 and I look forward to continuing to move Hays CISD in a positive direction."
Three of the four propositions for Hays CISD were approved by voters, including the following:
Proposition A (1,292 votes, 55.10%), totaling $208,814,047, which addresses academic growth, including districtwide equipment, construction, furniture and technology as well as the construction of a 17th elementary school and design fees for an 18th elementary school.
Proposition B (1,233 votes, 52.74%), totaling $102,857,074, which focuses on theater and fine arts, athletic, career and technical education, including the construction of new auditoriums with more seating and other indoor facilities to meet the needs of fine arts and athletics.
Proposition C (1,303 votes, 55.66%), totaling $3,980,000, which will cover technology needs such as more data storage and network security.
"All of our bonds, working through the district’s community-member Facilities and Bond Oversight Committee (FBOC), start from the community and are ultimately decided by the community. The school district belongs to parents, employees, taxpayers and voters," said Tim Savoy, Hays CISD chief communication officer.
"The community voted Saturday to approved the majority of the projects presented to them — about 86% of the projects by cost. This decision by voters will help the district navigate the tremendous growth we are seeing in the area," Savoy continued. "The only proposition not to pass was a stand-alone item that would have been a new concept in our district — outdoor multipurpose pavilions."
Proposition D, totaling $52,173,445 to construct outdoor multipurpose pavilions, including the installation of three covered pavilions with artificial turf failed to pass, with 1,296 votes (55.34%) against and 1,046 votes (44.66%) for.
"In the coming months, our board members and FBOC members will be having conversations with contacts in the community to try to determine why the majority of voters did not support the pavilions. If there is something about them that people want to change, they may appear on a future bond. If it is a concept the community doesn’t wish to adopt for Hays CISD schools — they may not show up again," Savoy said. "Big capital expense and investment decisions, as well as choices for school board members, for genuine public schools are decided directly by the taxpayers and voters, as they should be. Taxpayers also pay for construction of charter school facilities and their operations; but in the case of charter schools, as set up by the Texas legislature, local taxpayers don’t get to vote on charter school bonds or the appointed charter school board members."
Results will remain unofficial until canvassed and certified by Hays County.
