Entire Arlington school district would be targeted by $197.5 million bond package

By TRACI SHURLEY

tshurley@star-telegram.com

If Arlington school district voters approve a $197.5 million bond package Nov. 3, the benefits won’t be limited to a few high-growth areas or the district’s most aged campuses.

The east side will get the new elementary school and campus expansions to deal with growth in a 17 elementary-school area.

Arlington High School, in central Arlington, will get a $6.2 million expansion of its kitchen and cafeteria.

To the northwest, Lamar High School, will get an $8.5 million addition to alleviate crowding. It now has 28 classrooms in 14 temporary buildings.

Schools in south Arlington will get millions in roofing, mechanical, electrical and plumbing repairs.

Because all the district’s needs are included under one umbrella, supporters are pinning their hopes on voters’ ability to see the big picture.

Early voting for the November election starts today and lasts through Oct. 30.

"We need to build our whole district up," said Christina Nason, a parent who serves on the residents committee that compiled bond projects as well as Citizens for Arlington, a political action committee backing the package. "It’s not going to work to say these schools in certain parts of town are the strongest schools. You rest on the strength of your whole district."

Proponents say the district, which also includes some schools in Grand Prairie, must make improvements in technology, transportation, facilities and fine arts if it wants to deliver the kind of education that draws families and businesses to the community, and improve from an academically acceptable rating to recognized.

Because state funding fails to provide for everything from new classrooms to new calculators, the bond money is essential, they argue.

If the district can take advantage of some no-interest bonds authorized as part of the federal stimulus package, the bond package would cost the owner of a $100,000 home with a $15,000 homestead exemption an extra $40 a year for about seven years. For property owners with an over-65 exemption, there would be no increase.

Critics haven’t organized en masse, but a few express varied concerns. Some say that endorsing the package would only be rewarding poor financial stewardship and planning.

Richard Weber, a member of the residents bond advisory committee and president of the Arlington Alliance for Responsible Government, said he doesn’t believe that current economic conditions make it the right time for the district to take on more debt.

"There were some things in there that I would have been for, but basically the board didn’t try to weed out any of the fat or anything else," Weber said. Some of his concerns include issuing bond money for expenses like drill team uniforms and graphing calculators.

A 'blanket’ over the district

The work compiled by administrators and the residents committee includes a list of repair and construction projects by campus — from roofing to flooring and everything in between.

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