Did voters approve bond proposals in H-E-B, Azle and Eagle Mountain-Saginaw?
.jpg "Voters were deciding school bond propsals in Hurst-Euless-Bedford, Eagle Mountain-Saginaw and Azle.")
Voters in three Fort Worth area school districts approved bond proposals Tuesday to build new schools, renovate old ones and enhance technology and security on campuses, according to unofficial results. Two proposals for athletic facilities were rejected in Eagle Mountain-Saginaw.
Hurst-Euless-Bedford
A nearly $1 billion bond package will replace L.D. Bell and Trinity high schools and four elementary campuses in the Hurst-Euless-Bedford school district.
Proposition A, at $979.3 million, will replace the high schools and Hurst Hills Elementary in Hurst and Wilshire and Midway Park elementary schools in Euless. In addition, Bell Manor Elementary will be converted for the alternative KEYS High School and a new campus for Bell Manor will be built. The proposal also includes safety and security upgrades.
The proposal passed 57.3% to 42.7%.
Proposition B will provide $18 million for technology. It passed 58.4% to 41.6%.
The bonds will cost 13.76 cents per $100 of valuation, or $344 for the owner of a $350,000 home with a homestead exemption.
“This is an exciting day for the students and staff of HEB ISD and I want to thank our community for their continued support,” superintendent Joe Harrington said in a statement posted on the district’s website. “Our residents have a long history of investing in students and schools — ensuring that HEB ISD remains a premier district and can serve our students in a way that is both special and unique to the DFW area.”
Eagle Mountain-Saginaw
Voters considered four propositions.
Proposition A will provide $540.9 million for new schools, renovations and safety and security. Voters approved the proposition, 52.1% to 47.9%.
Some of the projects include replacing Wayside Middle and Saginaw Elementary, the oldest school building in the district with roots dating to the late 1800s. The school district wants to keep historic aspects, such as the old school bell, classrooms and a 1930s era auditorium. An elementary and middle school will be built to keep pace with growth in the northern part of the district.
Playground surfaces will be improved at 17 campuses and additional security cameras will be placed around the district.
Proposition B will provide $20.2 million to purchase technology. It passed 51.4% to 48.7%.
Voters rejected Proposition C, which would have provided $47 million for athletic facility improvements at Saginaw High School, including a multipurpose center, locker room, weight training room and team room. The district said the facilities are needed for equity with Boswell High School and the new Eagle Mountain High School, which is projected to open in 2024. The vote was 60% against and 40% in favor of the proposal.
Proposition D would have provided $51 million for a natatorium for district water sports and community programs such as drowning prevention campaigns and health and fitness classes. It failed, with 58.3% voting “no” while 41.7% voting for the proposal.
The proposals would cost one-tenth of one cent per $100 valuation, or $2.42 for the owner of an average home with a homestead exemption.
“We thank those in our community who took the time to go vote and we are thankful for your support with managing current and future enrollment growth,” superintendent Jim F. Chadwell said in a statement posted on the district’s website. “While our hope was to see all the projects recommended by the Long-Range Facility Planning Committee approved, we respect the community’s decisions made in this election and will begin planning for projects in Propositions A and B.”
The district is projected to add more than 4,700 students over the next seven years.
Azle
Voters approved a $151.5 million bond package to replace the 1950s-era Azle Junior High and expand Forte Junior High, renovate elementary and intermediate schools and realign grade levels to create eight pre-K through fifth-grade campuses to maintain neighborhood schools.
The total tax rate will be $1.13 per $100 of assessed value, which is 8 cents lower than last year’s rate. Taxes will decrease $213 for a home at the average value of $266,000.
The bond will also increase the size of the 13-officer police department.
Voters approved the proposal 53.4% to 46.6%.
This story was originally published November 7, 2023 at 7:43 PM.
