-
GISD’s CAC member Kim Denning-Knapp explains to trustees its recommendation for a $649.5 million bond election in May. Photo by Katherine Anthony
Georgetown ISD trustees unanimously voted February 12 to hold a school bond election on Saturday, May 4.
Spread across four proposals, the bond package totals $649.5 million, which, if approved, would result in a one-cent tax increase per $100 property valuation.
The recommended bond would build a new elementary school and new middle school, renovate older campuses, and renovate or replace aging fixtures and equipment.
GISD residents can vote on the bond referendum during early voting, April 22-30, and on election day, May 4. The last day to register to vote in the May election is April 4.
Representatives of the 80-member Citizens Advisory Council made their recommendation to district trustees at their February 5 workshop.
In monthly meetings beginning in September, CAC members studied facilities’ needs, district enrollment projections, infrastructure, financial data, community survey results and other information to make the group’s recommendations to trustees.
“I’m thankful to the community members who served on our CAC and brought this recommendation forward to prepare our families for the future,” Superintendent Devin Padavil said. “It reflects the voice of our community.”
The May 4 bond has been split into four different propositions because the Texas Education Code requires separate ballot propositions for school construction and land purchases; construction of athletic and performing arts facilities; and technology and school bus purchases.
2024 GISD bond projects by ballot proposition
Proposition A: $597,470,000
- Construct a new elementary school (#12), middle school (#5) and comprehensive high school (#3)
- Renovate old Benold Middle School on Northwest Blvd. as the new Frost Elementary School
- Acquire land for future campuses
- Install safety and security upgrades
- Renovate and expand classrooms at Forbes Middle School and Georgetown High School
- Renovate vacated labs/classrooms at East View High School and Georgetown High School
- Renovate/replace flooring, lighting and paint at aging campuses
- Replace playground equipment/fall protection at Cooper Elementary School
- Replace or upgrade HVAC equipment at three campuses
- Provide instructional equipment
- Replace risers and sound systems
- Purchase new school buses and maintenance equipment
- Make parking lot repairs, additions and driveway adjustments
- Purchase land for future development
- Upgrade safety and security infrastructure/equipment
Proposition B: $20,330,000
- Replace and add student and staff tablet devices to accommodate for enrollment growth and lifecycle replacement
- Provide for technology infrastructure replacements/upgrades to include phone gateway, data center, firewall, and electronics
- Replace aging or broken equipment used for classroom instruction and business operations
Proposition C: $27,850,000
- Construct a performing arts facility at East View High School
- Conduct maintenance of the Klett Performing Arts facility at Georgetown High School
- Replace fine arts concert attire and uniforms
Proposition D: $3,860,000
- Renovate and expand weight and locker rooms at East View High School
Tax Rate Impact
GISD anticipates that, should the bond proposals be approved in May, the tax rate impact on property owners could range from zero cents to a maximum one cent per $100 valuation, or $2.77 monthly for the average home in Georgetown ISD.
Over the past few years, property tax rates in the district have declined by more than 36 cents.
Enrollment projections
Projected GISD enrollment growth is driving bond proposals to purchase land, design and build new schools.
According to its most recent demographic study, the district’s current enrollment of 13,700 students is anticipated to grow by 4,000 students over the next five years — and by 7,000 students by 2033.
The district is projected to grow by almost 6,000 more students by the year 2030, according to the most recent demographic report.
In December, GISD announced the purchase of a 64.82-acre property in the southeast quadrant of the district. The site at Patriot Way and the State Highway 130 Toll Road is large enough to accommodate two campuses — an elementary school and a middle school.
To build these schools on the newly-acquired site, voters must approve funds included in the May ballot issue.
GISD will open San Gabriel Elementary and a new Benold Middle School this fall. Both schools, projects from the 2021 Bond Program, are in the far west regions of the district.