Three public forums will be held this month regarding the Hays CISD bond election planned for May.
The first will be Saturday, Jan. 11, at 10:30 a.m. at McCormick Middle School; the second on Monday, Jan. 13, 6 p.m. at Dahlstrom Middle School and the third on Jan. 15, 6 p.m. at Wallace Middle School.
Attendance is important, Hays CISD Superintendent Dr. Eric Wright explained.
“The school district belongs to the community and major decisions must include input from parents, teachers, students and taxpayers,” he said. “Ultimately, if a bond election occurs, voters will have the final say at the ballot box. These public forums give citizens an opportunity to help shape what may appear on a potential ballot.”
He continued, “The upcoming public forums are essential to the planning phase of a potential school bond election this May and public input is a key part of that process. The board will decide, based on feedback from the public, whether to call for an election; and, if so, what to include on the ballot.”
The scope of the district’s first bond election in three years is wide-ranging and preliminary estimates are for bonds totaling $213,099,630.
Projects being considered expansions and improvements at campuses including Wallace, Dahlstrom and McCormick middle schools, a new elementary in the Sunfield neighborhood, expansion at Negley, Elm Grove and Historic Buda elementaries, stadium expansion at Shelton Stadium improvements to the Lehman High baseball and softball fields and the Hays High weight room.
For those who are not able to attend a public forum in person, they can still participate in the conversation. The district has set up a way for citizens to provide comment and feedback online though a “Bond Talk” button at www.hayscisd.net/bond2020.
“Whether in person or online, the Board wants to hear from you,” Wright said.
