Today, Birdville Independent School District voters approved a $252.8 million bond package. Superintendent Dr. Darrell G. Brown praised the efforts of the Citizen’s Bond Committee, the Birdville Backers, BISD staff and community. “These groups spent countless hours working to educate the community about the bond proposal,” said Brown. “Thank you for your support of the children.”

Voters approved:

Safety & Security

• Security Vestibules
• Intercom Systems on All Campuses

Rebuilds

• Haltom Middle School
• Richland Middle School
• Smithfield Elementary School
• Cheney/Richland Elementary Schools (Partner School)

Repairs/Renovations

• Smithfield Middle School (Gym/Emergency Storm Shelter, Locker Rooms, Restrooms)
• Haltom High School (Classroom Enhancements/Auditorium Renovations)
• HVAC and Roofing Replacements
• Theater Lighting Upgrades at High Schools

Technology

• Additional Student/Classroom Technology
• Teacher/Staff Technology
• Network Operations/Disaster Recovery Servers and Equipment

With 56 of 69 precincts reporting, 34,691 total voters turned out with 25,329 voting For and 9,362 voting Against the bond package.

With the passage of this bond, the board of trustees has put into place plans for a Citizen’s Bond Oversight Committee. This Committee will monitor the progress of the work to assure consistency with the bond program approved by voters. At least four times a year, the Committee will report on the progress to trustees. In addition to the report to trustees, monthly reports will be available for review on the District’s website.

Trustees call for Nov. 6 bond election

On Aug. 16, Birdville ISD’s Board of Trustees unanimously called for a bond election to be held as part of the general election on Nov. 6. BISD voters are being asked to consider a $252.8 million bond package that was developed with extensive community input by a diverse group of citizens from all parts of the District. The package approved by the Board addresses: safety and security upgrades at every campus; replacing five campuses with four (Haltom Middle School, Richland Middle School, Smithfield Elementary School and Major Cheney Elementary/Richland Elementary [Partner School]); renovations at Smithfield Middle School and Haltom High School; critical repair/renovation needs requiring action in the next three years; and technology upgrades Districtwide. This plan impacts every student, staff member, facility and community served by BISD.

The proposed bond package:

• Eliminates more than 50 portable classrooms across the District;
• Provides additional safety and security measures throughout the District;
• Funds technology upgrades to address instructional needs;
• Moves from a 5:1 student-to-technology ratio to a 2:1 student-to-technology ratio;
• Addresses priority repair/renovation needs (requiring action in the next one to three years), roofs and HVAC;
• Replaces five existing facilities that are more than 60 years old with four new facilities that require less money to operate and maintain. They are: Haltom Middle School, Richland Middle School, Smithfield Elementary School and Major Cheney Elementary/Richland Elementary [Partner School].
• Will be monitored by a Board-appointed citizen’s bond oversight committee to monitor the scope, timeline and expenditure of bond funds.

If BISD voters approve this bond package, School property tax rates will not increase as a result of this bond proposal.

Election Day is Nov. 6.

For more information visit, bisdbond18.net.