Waller ISD calls $49.3 million bond election, lowers taxes

     After months of citizens’ committee meetings and careful consideration, Waller ISD’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously in special session March 11 to call for a bond election in the amount of $49.3 million.
     The bond package includes a new elementary school, renovating and converting Schultz Middle School to a sixth through eighth grade campus, additional technology office space, a covered walkway between the east and west campuses of Waller Junior High, district stadium improvements, school buses, additional space and equipment for transportation, technology equipment, and renovations at all campuses.
     If approved, the district’s current grade structure (kindergarten through fourth grade [K-4], fifth and sixth grade [5-6], seventh and eighth grade [7-8], and ninth through twelfth grade [9-12]) would change to the more common kindergarten through fifth grade (K-5), sixth through eighth grade (6-8), and ninth through twelfth grade (9-12) structure used in many other area districts such as Cy-Fair, Bryan, Fort Band, Katy, Klein, Spring, and Spring Branch.
     According to data provided by Population and Survey Analysts’ (PASA), if Waller ISD’s grade structure does not change, WISD will need one new school in 2009, two new schools in 2011, and one new school in 2016. If the grade structure is realigned, the District will need only three new schools; one in 2009, one in 2012, and one in 2016. In addition to saving the district the cost of one school, the grade structure realignment also aligns with state curriculum and testing; and allows fewer transitions for school, staff, peers, building structure, and parents.
     In citizens’ committee meetings, held earlier this school year, WISD Superintendent Richard McReavy pointed out that Roberts Road Elementary (RRE) is currently over capacity and, according to PASA’s “most-likely growth scenario,” all six kindergarten through eighth grade campuses will be at or above capacity by 2009.
     With the passage of the bond, WISD will be able to provide its taxpayers with a minimum 25 cent decrease in overall tax rate. The district is able to do this because it holds a Moody’s AAA bond rating, the taxable value of the district is rising, it is retiring old bonds, state mandated decreases, and current rates are optimal for a bond program. The average homeowner (with a home valued at $100,000) would pay (at minimum) $213 less in taxes each year over the next three years.
     Early voting will be held in the WISD Administration Building April 30-May 4 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. and May 7-8 from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Election Day is May 12; voting will be held in the west campus of Waller Junior High from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
     For more information on the facilities planning process visit www.wallerisd.net then click on “Facilities Planning,” or contact Sarah Stephenson at 936.931.4078 or sastephe@wallerisd.net.