A school district in Tarrant County wants voters to approve a $61.1 million bond package in the upcoming May election.
Everman ISD, roughly 40 minutes southwest of Dallas, put forth two propositions to fund upgrades and renovations and build a new facility. The bond was approved and voted on unanimously 7-0 during an Everman ISD school board meeting on February 12, according to the school district.
Proposition A accounts for a majority of the proposed spending, totaling $49,015,480 million. If passed by voters, the money would be used to renovate several elementary campuses across the district. It will also be spent on security enhancements, such as panic buttons, security cameras, control cloud security, and environmental sensors.
Proposition B would fund a new indoor district-wide facility at Everman High School. The cost to taxpayers would be $18,084,304 million. This facility would host events such as spelling bees, science fairs, UIL and academic competitions, staff development meetings, guest speakers, campus and department programs, and more.
If passed, the bond would effectively increase the current tax rate of $1.09416 per $100 valuation to $1.1350. The current rate is the lowest Everman ISD has set in nearly 20 years.
The bond was developed based on recommendations from a Community Bond Committee, which consisted of parents, community members, business leaders, and district staff members. Their work began in October when the group studied the condition of the district’s facilities, expected growth, and operating systems.
Everman ISD has a total of 10 campuses with a student enrollment number of 5,457, according to the latest accountability report from the Texas Education Agency in 2022.
Only 36% of students at the district scored at grade level on their STAAR exams that school year, a worse share than the 41% clocked in Dallas ISD. Still, the district boasts a higher on-time graduation rate of 88.7%. Nearly 20% of Dallas ISD’s graduating Class of 2022 failed to earn a diploma in four years.
Everman ISD’s last bond was back in 2019 when voters approved a $40 million package, as reported by NBC 5 DFW. The bond money went towards improvement projects for four campuses across the district and a roofing program.
