Birdville asks voters to fix aging schools, update tech, improve safety
Several campuses in the Birdville school district are over 50 years old, and the district also needs security and technology upgrades.
The district is asking voters to approve a $475.5 million bond package on the May 2 ballot. Early voting starts Monday and ends April 28.
What’s on the ballot
There are two propositions on the ballot. Proposition A, the largest at $453.3 million asks voters to approve school renovations and upgrades along with safety and security.
Proposition B for $22.1 million addresses technology needs.
School officials said there will not be a tax rate increase.
The district said in an email to the Star-Telegram that trustees pledged not to increase the tax rate, although state law requires ballot language that says, “This is a property tax increase.”
“This same commitment was made during the 2018 and 2022 bond elections. Following the voter approval of these bond elections, the Board of Trustees kept their promise, maintaining and even lowering the existing tax rate,” the district said.
What are some of the bond projects
Renovating and upgrading Birdville’s campuses are important priorities in the 2026 bond package.
If voters approve, a single campus will replace North Oaks and Watauga middle schools, which are among the oldest in the district.
North Oaks was built in 1966 and Watauga Middle was built in 1969. The new campus would be similar in size to Haltom Middle School.
The district estimates that combining the two schools would save approximately $3 million annually in operational costs.
Here are other projects included in the bond package.
• Add new security cameras and access card readers
• Update fire alarm systems according to replacement schedules
• Replace aging buses
• Replace end-of-life outdoor practice field turf for student use at all high schools.
• Upgrade end-of-life outdoor lighting to LED at all high schools.
• Replace aging strength and conditioning equipment used for physical education programs at all high schools.
• Expansions and renovations for program growth at Birdville Center of Technology and Advanced Learning
• New middle school combining Watauga and North Oaks campuses
• Rebuild Hardeman Elementary School on a site within existing attendance zone
• Rebuild Smithfield Middle School, retaining the existing science wing and main gym
• Replace the band hall at North Ridge Middle School
• Renovate/update Birdville High School Auditorium
• Upgrade student and teacher devices, classroom equipment, and technology network infrastructure.
• Construct an appropriately-sized auxiliary support center to house the transportation and maintenance departments
• Critical maintenance and system upgrades
“This bond proposal reflects BISD’s commitment to balancing the needs of our students with the responsibility we owe to our taxpayers,” board president Ralph Kunkel said in a news release.
Bond planning began last fall when a committee of over 50 community members which included parents, business leaders, city officials and district employees who evaluated Birdville’s long-term facilities plan.
The committee looked at future workforce demands, facility conditions and safety and security needs, which led to the bond recommendations.