Fort Worth school district wants $1.49 billion for renovations. Here’s what’s planned
The Fort Worth school district is asking voters to approve a $1.49 billion bond package in November, but has made little information available to the public about the proposal.
The board voted Aug. 10 to place four propositions on the ballot. The vote was taken with minimal discussion and administrators provided few details. There is no information about the bond on the district’s website aside from the item listed on the agenda.
- Proposition A would provide more than $1.2 billion for the construction and renovation of school buildings.
- Proposition B would provide more than $98 million for the renovation of fine arts facilities.
- Proposition C would provide more than $104 million for the construction of new stadiums.
- Proposition D would provide more than $76 million for the renovation of existing recreational facilities.
Board member Anael Luebanos, who voted yes for the proposal, said he has no doubt that the money is needed for renovations, but is concerned some residents will have sticker shock. He also said there should have been more options and the community should have been more involved in drafting the proposals.
Luebanos pointed out that the city of Fort Worth is proposing a $500 million bond package in May 2022, and it is already soliciting opinions from residents.
“Here we are asking [for] $1.5 billion dollars and we are three months away,” he said.
Before and after the meeting, the Star-Telegram requested interviews with administrators and asked for details about the proposals. Requests to interview board members were not answered. Six days after the Star-Telegram’s initial request, a spokesperson asked for the reporter’s questions in an email. He responded on Monday.
The need for the proposed projects emerged out of the planning for the $750 million bond in 2017, district spokesperson Clint Bond said. Teachers, administrators, students and the public weighed in on that master plan, he said.
The district plans community meetings to explain the plan and identify projects for each of the schools included in the proposal.
These town halls would begin “very soon,” Superintendent Kent Scribner said during the Aug. 10 meeting.
Board president Tobi Jackson, who voted yes for the proposal, said it is crucial to engage the community to ensure that certain parts of the district aren’t left out when considering upgrades.
“I want to make sure that we get this right,” she said.
Renovating district middle schools
Proposition A holds the largest chunk of funding and would provide more than $1.21 billion for major interior renovations throughout all middle schools and the construction of a new elementary school in Benbrook, Bond said in an email.
The renovations include new secured front entries, upgrades to corridors and expanding media centers and cafeterias.
Science labs and classroom space in each school would be updated and interior finishes and roofing repairs would be addressed. Locker rooms and weight rooms would be modified, and mechanical, electrical, plumbing, technology and security would be updated.
Campuses that need additional instructional space would be expanded.
“The intent is to make improvements at all the District’s middle schools to varying degrees, based on the condition of the respective facility,” Bond wrote.
Improvements to auditoriums
Proposition B would provide more than $98 million for the construction, acquisition and renovation of middle school and high school auditoriums.
Middle school and high school auditoriums would receive improvements in acoustics, seating capacity and ADA accessibility. Lighting, sound systems, rigging and curtains would be updated.
Upgrades for campuses that have specialized fine arts programs would also be included in Proposition B funding.
Construction of new stadiums
Proposition C would provide more than $104 million for three new stadiums. These complexes would include a 5,000-seat football stadium, an artificial turf field, track, concessions, a field house with a competition gym, locker rooms and team rooms.
The stadium complexes would be similar to Scarborough-Handley Field, which is shared by schools. The locations have not been determined, Bond said.
In 2019, district officials announced a plan to sell Farrington Field.
Updating athletic facilities
Proposition D would provide more than $76 million for the construction and renovation of middle school gyms and ball fields, and artificial turf at high school baseball and softball fields. Turf would be replaced at football practice fields, Bond said.
The Lon Goldstein ballpark would receive upgrades including an artificial turf field, and the Wilkerson-Greines Activities Center would receive ADA upgrades.
Concerns about equity, expense
The proposal passed 8-1, with board member CJ Evans as the only “no” vote.
Evans said she’s opposed to Proposition A. She said there is a need for upgrades, but she believes that the district can reduce the bond under $1 billion and still meet the needs being addressed.
“I do want to be clear though. It is not a ‘no’ vote on the needed improvements,” she said. “It’s a ‘No, not now, not with these numbers.’”
Approval of the bond will not increase property tax rates, according to the district.
Board member Daphne Brookins said the money should be used properly and spread out equitably.
Board member Roxanne Martinez said district middle schools have been left behind, and those students deserve every penny of support.
“When I walk through some of our Fort Worth ISD middle schools, they look exactly the same as when I attended them 30 years ago,” she said. “They’re in desperate need.”
Scribner said the district is committed to equity and parity across the district.
“There are some newer, fast-growing communities that typically receive investment,” he said. “Our plan is replicate that in some of our more needy school communities.”
If approved, construction could start as early as spring 2022, said Mike Ball, the district’s chief financial officer, during the board meeting.
