A local school district has proposed a bond totaling $777 million in spending for the upcoming May 4 election.
Mansfield ISD is asking voters to support its bond, which includes five different propositions. If passed, the bond would not increase the current school tax rate. According to the district, the tax rate is $1.1492 per $100 of property value, the lowest it has been since 1992.
Proposition A, the largest of the five propositions, would equip and renovate school facilities for a total of $584,500,000. This would include lifecycle replacements, replacing network infrastructure as needed, increasing safety and security measures, improving transportation through replacement buses and renovations, expanding fine art, career and technical education (CTE), and athletic opportunities, as well as new construction for the Early Learner’s Academy.
Proposition B, the smallest of the propositions, at $4,000,000, focuses on instructional technology, specifically replacing outdated classroom smartboards and digital signage for campus communications.
Proposition C would total $50,500,000 for stadium renovations to RL Anderson, Newson Stadium, and high school practice fields.
Proposition D, which includes fine arts multi-purpose additions and phase two of the multi-purpose athletic complexes, would cost $85,000,000.
Proposition E focuses on phase three of the multi-purpose athletic complexes, totaling $53,000,000. It would include a 50-yard indoor practice field at all high schools that could be regularly used for student programs as a safe alternative during inclement weather and for additional practice and rehearsal space among numerous programs.
The district held multiple information sessions to inform the community about the proposed bond in March and April. The last one was held on April 11 at Ben Barber Innovation Academy. It included a focus on CTE programs.
The bond was approved during a January school board meeting, with the board voting unanimously to place it on the May 4 ballot.
The district’s last bond was in 2017 when voters passed a $275 million bond. This bond focused on addressing district growth, equity, safety, and aging infrastructure, according to Mansfield ISD.
To learn where voting locations are for the May 4 election, visit the MISD website.
Mansfield ISD earned a B rating from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for student achievement, scoring 89 out of 100 for the 2021-22 school year. The previous recorded student achievement rating for 2018-19 was an A with a score of 90.
In comparison, Dallas ISD ranks far worse than Mansfield ISD, with a student achievement rating of C and a score of 78 for the 2021-22 school year. This score is similar to the last recorded rating for the 2018-19 school year when Dallas ISD received a C rating and score of 79.
