North Texas voters approved a multi-million dollar school bond proposal in this weekend's local elections. Bonds for safety and technology upgrades have generally fared better than expensive demands for things like sports stadiums.
Anna ISD's only bond proposal asked voters for $100 million to build a new stadium, but 57% of voters said no. This is the second time the stadium has been rejected, with the district unsuccessfully submitting the proposal in 2022 as part of that year's bond package.
In Argyle, two of three proposals include the district's largest request: $22.7 million for a baseball/softball complex, a new school, a larger gym and cafeteria, and $482.3 million for land for future construction. failed.
But voters there approved $6.5 million for technology.
In Granbury ISD, 82% of voters rejected a $161.5 million proposal for new school construction and improvements.
Mansfield ISD had the highest list of all districts in North Texas, with five proposals totaling $777 million. Voters approved a number of campus upgrades, technology improvements, safety and security improvements, $584.5 million for the purchase of new buses, and two that include an additional $4 million for smart boards and digital signage.
But local voters rejected three proposals totaling more than $188 million to fund renovations to the stadium and Orchestra Hall, adding art space and a third phase of the sports complex.
But the sports complex improvement bond was successful in Louisville, where voters approved a package worth more than $100 million for maintenance and repairs to the district's two swimming centers, high school sports stadiums and athletic facilities.
North Texas districts where voters approved all bond proposals include Castleberry, Cedar Hill, Everman, Grapevine-Colleyville, Kaufman, Mabank and Milford.
Bill Zeeble is KERA's education reporter. Any tips?Email your invoice to: bzeeble@kera.org. You can follow him at X @bzeeble.
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