I've noted the proposed $805 million HISD bond package before. As of now, that package will be officially on the ballot this fall.
The Houston school board voted 8-1 Thursday to ask voters for $805 million to build and repair schools, despite criticism that they've excluded parents and taxpayers from the planning process.HISD leaders promised to take residents' concerns about some of the details of the proposal into consideration before the Nov. 6 election. If approved, the bond would increase the property tax rate 3 cents.
Because HISD's enrollment is declining, this bond would ultimately decrease the district's total square footage. Twenty campuses -- Smith Education Center and Bellfort Academy; Fleming, Ryan and Cullen middle schools; and Isaacs, Scott, Ross, Sherman, Crawford, Kennedy, Allen, Atherton, Dogan, Peck, Hartsfield, Whidby, Shearn, Turner and Kashmere Gardens elementaries -- would be consolidated or closed.Joel Goza, a pastor with Pleasant Hill Ministries, said the proposal negatively affects too many schools in the black community.
"The proposed changes seem less than prudent and out of touch with the realities we are facing in Denver Harbor and the Fifth Ward," he said. "We ask, as others have before us, that you come to the table with us."
Abandoned school buildings will become eyesores in some neighborhoods, critics said. And some children could be forced to cross highways and railroad tracks to reach their new schools.
Specifically, I'm told that the bond proposal would include this:
7 new schools to replace older school buildings, including:
1. A new K-8 school to replace Fleming Middle School and Isaacs, Scott and Ross Elementary schools
2. A new school to replace Ryan and Cullen middle schools
3. A new school to replace Sherman and Crawford elementary schools
4. A new school to replace Kennedy and Allen elementary schools
5. A new K-8 school to replace Smith Education Center, Atherton and Dogan elementary schools
6. A new school to replace Peck and Hartsfield elementary schools
7. A new school to replace Whidby and Shearn elementary schools.
One last thing, since I noted the property tax increase:
If approved in the Nov. 6 election, this installment would cost the owner of an average-value home of $131,884 an extra $39 in property taxes in 2007-08.
Not exactly a big bite, is it? Don't think that won't discourage the usual litany of wailing and tooth-grinding, though.
It's nice that you're so affluent that you don't notice such things, Charles. I even agree with you -- $39/year doesn't seem like that much.
But, to folks who are less well off than us, those little bites can add up. Heck, some of them may be the very folks in need of the CHIP assistance that gets you so excited! There's nothing wrong with keeping those folks in mind every time government asks for more money as well as when government is doling out the money.
Posted by: Kevin Whited on August 10, 2007 8:40 PMYou mean the people who have even more expensive houses? I'm thinking they can afford it. Bear in mind, at that rate the tax increase for a $400,000 house would come to about $10 a month. If that's pushing any of those folks over the financial edge, they've got bigger problems than that.
Posted by: Charles Kuffner on August 10, 2007 9:31 PM