Proposition Addresses Growth, Safety, Program Expansion, & More
The Channelview ISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously to accept the Citizens’ Bond Planning Committee recommendation to call for a $195.4 million bond package addressing district growth, safety, program expansion, and aging infrastructure across the district.
Development of the bond proposal involved an in-depth process of information gathering, research and community input. The district conducted facilities assessments at each campus, a district-wide capacity study, educational planning with campus staff, and in October 2018, formed the Citizens’ Bond Planning Committee (CBPC).
The CBPC, made up of parents, staff, and local community members, met over the course of four months to study and prioritize the district’s current and long-term facility needs. On Tuesday, January 15, the Committee made its recommendation to the Board of Trustees to call for a bond election to be held Saturday, May 4.
“We are extremely grateful to the citizens who worked diligently to develop this plan for the future of our district. We had over 40 community members from all backgrounds come together to provide their input. Their engagement and commitment to the process resulted in a bond proposal that plans for growth and impacts every campus,” said Board President Keith Liggett. “We are excited to bring it forward to the voters for their consideration.”
Some of the proposed projects include:
– Replacement school for DeZavala Elementary with increased capacity _Replacement school to combine Cobb Elementary and Schochler Elementary
– A Career & Technical Education (CTE) Center at Channelview High School to increase capacity and opportunity for CTE offerings
– A new, 1,000-seat auditorium at Channelview High School
– Renovations and additions at the softball field, baseball field, football field, and track
– Renovations across the district to extend the life of existing facilities and improve infrastructure items such as HVAC systems and roofing
– Safety and security upgrades including enhanced video surveillance and controlled entrances at every campus, and an enclosed connection between Channelview High School and Kolarik Ninth Grade Center
– Technology upgrades, including new student devices, across the district
“One of the key considerations used in forming our recommendation is the growth coming to our district. The Rancho Verde development has over 620 new homes planned, and several of our campuses are already at or near their capacities. We also felt it was important to increase safety, and since it’s been 10 years since the District’s last bond, provide infrastructure improvements at all of our existing campuses,” said CBPC spokesperson Fernando Segura.
If approved, the estimated maximum tax impact of the total bond proposal is anticipated to be 11.75 cents for a total tax rate of $1.5135. For the average home valued at $120,000 this represents an increase of approximately $9.30 per month. CISD property taxes for citizens age 65 or older would not be affected by the bond election as long as a homestead and over 65-exemption application have been filed with the local appraisal district.
Channelview ISD residents will have the opportunity to vote on the bond referendum beginning with Early Voting, April 22-April 30, and Election Day, Saturday, May 4.
In the weeks ahead, district officials will speak to residents to provide facts about the bond election and answer questions. In addition, the district has established a bond website, www.CVISDBond.org, that will be updated with information about the bond proposition, including details on when and where to vote.