Beaumont I.S.D Facts

1.The comprehensive bond program is a result of community representatives doing their homework and making common sense recommendations based upon real capital needs of our schools.

2. This first phase of $388.6 million will address the most pressing needs of our schools. Lesser priority needs and future growth in population will likely need to be addressed in future bond election proposals.

3. All BISD schools are meeting state and national performance standards, despite the fact that nearly 70% of our children come from economically disadvantaged homes. All ethnic and socio-economic categories of students are exceeding mandated performance level, many over 20% above required levels.

4. Bond funds are special taxes that subject to oversight and audit, and dedicated to authorized capital projects only.

5. BISD is now considered a “property wealthy” district and will have to send our future Maintenance & Operation (M&O) tax dollars to Austin under the “Robin Hood” plan, unless we can lower our M&O rate.

6. Bond money (debt service taxes) is retained exclusively by this district and is not shared with the state. We can tax ourselves through debt service, lower our M&O taxes, fix our schools, and send less money to Austin; if we pass this bond.

7. All senior and disabled citizens have a freeze on their property taxes. They will not pay any more in taxes if the bond passes.

8. The state average for school district debt service tax rate is 25 cents per $100 of valuation—BISD is only at 5 ½ cents. Major school districts around Houston tax debt service up to $0.40/$100 property valuation.

9. This plan would only take our maximum debt service to $0.25/$100 property valuation at full implementation in 2011. After 2013, the rates would steadily decline.

10. BISD voters have only authorized $74 million in bond taxes in over 50 years, hardly enough to maintain and replace over $1 billion in schools that we own.

11. Commercial property carries over 70% of the debt service tax burden; residential property is less than 30% of the total.

12. Most BISD facilities are more that 50 years old, terribly inefficient with utility costs, and costly to maintain and operate.

13. The bond plan calls for 9 new elementary schools and includes consolidating 10 of the smaller, older schools into 5 new buildings, saving $5 million in operating costs.

14. The bond plan will eliminate all of the 220 portable classrooms where more that 25% of our children are educated in sub-optimal learning environments.

15. This plan will add TEA required science labs at all secondary schools. Two high schools that do not have an auditorium will receive one. Athletic field houses for all will be built at the two high schools that do not have adequate facilities.

16. Inflation, contingencies, and furniture, fixtures and equipment has been included for each project in the bond package.

17. Modern construction methods have been researched and identified, that will reduce costs to build and maintain, ensuring students a safe and optimal learning environment for decades to come.

18. South Park’s building will not be bulldozed under this plan. A new school will be built elsewhere, or will be built on the present site, utilizing as much of the historical school structure as possible.

19. A critical zoning change will allow students in the Roy Guess (northwest) and Homer Drive zones to choose to attend West Brook or Central with transportation provided to either that they and their parents choose.

20. Enrollment caps at each school will be based upon the permanent structure only. Portable buildings may not be used to factor in the enrollment capacity.

21. Transfer caps will be lowered from 96% to 92.5% of permanent capacity, ensuring room for growth and eliminating overcrowding by transfers.

22. Construction will be managed by a highly qualified project management firm, with oversight by a citizen advisory committee.

23. A shared multi-purpose stadium, swimming and extra curricular complex is more cost effective to build and operate than upgrades at each campus. This strategy is used by every school district of similar or larger size in the state. This represents less than 10% of the bond package.

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