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Taxpayers divided on nearly $850 million bond approved by NISD board for May ballot

The bond would increase taxes over a seven-year period for people who own homes in the district.

Homeowners in the North Side Independent School District could be digging deeper into their pockets if voters approve a bond proposal for nearly $850 million.

On Tuesday night, the NISD school board voted unanimously to put the bond on the May 5 ballot.

Barry Perez, a spokesperson for NISD, says of the 110 campuses, more than half are more than 20 years old and need upgrades.

"Of the funds in bond 2018, one-third of those would be used to address growth in the district that would include the construction of one new high school, one middle school and two elementary schools,” Perez said. “This also calls for the sixth Magnet School Program."

The bond would also pay for maintenance, renovations and technology upgrades at existing schools.

Most parents picking up their kids at John Marshall High School hadn't heard about the bond.

The bond would increase taxes over a seven-year period for parents like Patty Garcia who own homes in the district.

For an average home valued at nearly $219,000, with an average home appreciation, homeowners would start paying an extra $26 in taxes 2019. By 2025, the extra annual tax on the same house would be about $265.

Parents weighed in on the bond and some were divided on the extra cost.

“If it’s for the schools I am fine with that,” Garcia said. “I don't have any issues with it because I know the schools need upgrades."

“For my case it will be an additional thing I would have to seriously consider," Jeena Joseph said.

Garcia argues that her family learned firsthand the importance of school maintenance when her daughter was injured.

"She had dislocated her kneecap and she always had to depend on the elevator to get her up and down,” Garcia said. “It was a hit and miss weather the elevator was going to work that day or not.”

Joseph says NISD is one of the best school districts and plans to buy a home in the area. She says she understands the need for upgrades, but adds that she needs to send three boys to college and $100 can make a difference.

This is the breakdown of the bond:

  • New Schools: $280,300,000
  • Renovations/Reconstruction/Upgrades: $329,460,000
  • Infrastructure: $85,200,000
  • Roofing/Waterproofing: $20,450,000
  • Safety & Security: $34,700,000
  • Technology: $73,800,000
  • Transportation: $15,000,000
  • Bond Issuance & Management: $10,000,000

For more information on the bond and how it could impact taxpayers, visit NISD's website.

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