A school system located in Central Texas is seeking approval from voters on a $649 million bond package for improvements throughout the district.
Georgetown ISD, situated about 30 miles north of Austin, is putting four different propositions before voters after a unanimous vote of approval at a school board meeting earlier this year.
The district is looking to add three new campuses — including a high school, middle school, and elementary school — and transform a current middle school into an elementary school, according to Georgetown ISD.
Proposition A would be the largest cost to taxpayers, totaling $597,470,000 million. If approved, it would pay for the acquisition, construction, renovation, and equipment of the new campuses and the purchase of new school buses.
Proposition B totals $20,330,000 million and would be used to improve technology across the district.
Proposition C totals $27,850,000 million and would fund the renovations and improvements to the district’s East View High School performing arts facility. The money would also go towards purchasing new equipment and uniforms.
Proposition D, totaling $3,860,000, would fund improvements and renovations needed for the district’s athletic facilities. This would include repairs to the track at Georgetown High School and an expansion of East View’s field house and locker room.
Looking at the impact on property taxes, the district notes that the bond could range from a zero to one cent increase per $100 valuation, “depending on the timing of the bond sale.”
“For the average GISD homeowner, a one-cent tax increase is $2.77 per month,” the district’s website states.
The district further noted that the impact could be even less if the district’s tax base grows more than anticipated or if a lower interest rate is adopted.
The bond was devised by a Citizens Advisory Committee, which examined the district’s growth, facility and equipment needs, and student programs. The committee, made up of nearly 80 members, included parents, staff, community leaders, and both new and long-time residents of Georgetown.
The district proposed a bond package back in 2021 totaling $381.7 million across five different propositions, according to Georgetown ISD. Two of the five propositions passed, including funding for the construction of three new campuses and technology infrastructure and fiber expansion across the district.
Georgetown ISD had 21 total campuses with student enrollment totaling 12,566 during the 2021-22 school year, according to the Texas Education Agency’s latest accountability report.
The district earned a B rating for student achievement outcomes. It performed best in college, career, and military readiness, scoring 94 out of 100. It also clocked an on-time graduation rate of 93.9%, but only 40% of its students scored at grade level on their STAAR exams.
For comparison, in Dallas ISD, just 41% of students scored at grade level on the STAAR, however, nearly 20% of its graduating Class of 2022 failed to earn a diploma in four years. It also only scored 73 out of 100 for college, career, and military readiness.
Voters will get a chance to approve or disapprove of Georgetown ISD’s latest bond package starting next week, with early voting taking place April 22-30. Election day is on May 4.
