By
a large margin, Spring Branch voters cast
ballots Nov. 6 and approved the district’s
$597.1 million bond proposal, according
to complete but unofficial Harris County
election returns.
With all 46 precincts reporting, SBISD’s
biggest ever bond package passed by 9,195
to 6,039, or about 60 percent to 40 percent,
based on Tuesday night returns. Slightly
more than 19 percent of registered Spring
Branch voters cast ballots on Tuesday.
Superintendent of Schools Duncan
Klussmann thanked SBISD’s numerous
stakeholders who worked long hours to help identify
and rank the district’s needs,
as well as the many volunteers who worked
on behalf of the successful bond election.
"We are very excited to be able to implement
a businesslike long-range facilities plan.
We appreciate the support of our voters
and community. We want to thank the more
than 100 individuals who served on the Bond
Advisory Commitee and the Long Range Facility
Planning Committee for their had work over
the past two years," Dr. Klussmann said.
"The success of the bond election is
a clear indication of the community's continued
commitment to a quality education for the
32,000 students in SBISD."
The rebuilding and renovation
proposal was SBISD's first new bond proposition
in eight years.
As approved by voters, the bonds will replace
12 of the district’s oldest elementary
campuses, build additional classrooms, and
upgrade existing safety and security systems,
classroom technology, bus transportation
and athletics across the district.
The successful bond proposal followed a
two-year planning process that involved
more than 100 community members, parents,
staff and students. Two district parents
co-chaired the district’s 65-member
Bond Advisory Committee, which worked more
than five months to review both present
and future school facility needs.
Elementary schools to be rebuilt under
the bond proposal are Edgewood, Frostwood,
Hollibrook, Housman, Meadow Wood, Pine Shadows,
Ridgecrest, Shadow Oaks, Spring Branch,
Valley Oaks, Westwood and Wilchester. Recent
additions, such as gyms, libraries and multipurpose
rooms, will be retained in new campus plans.
Through the bond proposal, all Spring Branch
campuses will receive funds for facilities,
technology, and safety and security upgrades.
All bond funds will remain inside SBISD,
too, and not be subject to the state’s
so-called “Robin Hood” funding
formula.
Harris County Election Results
posted 11-07-07
