This will represent the fourth year in a row the Board of Trustees has approved lowering the tax rate, and the proposed $1.185 tax rate is lower than the tax rate prior to the 2014 Bond Program.
To be proactive in addressing future student growth projections, and to maintain and enhance existing facilities, the District undertook a comprehensive facilities needs assessment beginning in March 2019. The needs assessment was informed by the previous 2013 facilities needs assessment, walkthroughs of facilities by architects and specialized consultants, and interviews of principals and department heads. The findings of the facilities needs assessment were presented to the Board of Trustees on May 6. During three additional meetings, the Board of Trustees reviewed cost estimates, dialogued about the proposed projects, and created a prioritized list of projects to be considered by a citizens’ committee.
The Board of Trustees then directed the Administration to form a Facilities Community Advisory Committee (FCAC) comprised of parents, community leaders, business owners, pastors, retirees, law enforcement officers and former 2014 Bond Oversight Committee members. The FCAC was charged during their two meetings with reviewing the prioritized projects established by the Board, asking clarifying questions, providing feedback, and sharing the information with friends and family. After reviewing all of the projects, the FCAC members were asked to individually rate their level of agreement of the proposed projects utilizing a scale from 1 to 5, with 1 being “Totally Opposed to Proposed Projects,” and 5 being “Whole-Heartedly Support Proposed Projects.” The average level of agreement of the FCAC was 4.4.
“The Board of Trustees, as elected representatives of the BCISD community, have been very involved and hands-on in creating the list of priority projects at each campus,” said Superintendent Keith McBurnett. “The Board was pleased that there was such a strong level of agreement of the priority projects among FCAC members.”
During the August 12 Board Meeting, the Board carefully studied feedback from the FCAC, and received reports from the District’s Financial Advisor and Bond Counsel. After considering all of the information presented, the Board officially called a Bond Election to put before voters on the November 5 ballot.
“The work of maintaining facilities and planning for the future is truly never done. I applaud the Board of Trustees for the countless hours they have spent the past four months in studying this issue, and I thank the members of the FCAC for their valuable feedback,” said McBurnett. “This bond proposal will address growth, security, learning environments, and aging systems, while at the same time; voters will recognize a tax rate decrease of 7.5 cents.”
Bond Program Overview
The anticipated improvements include:
The anticipated improvements include:
Learning Environment and Technology Projects – 31%
Includes technology for a 1:1 initiative for students, classroom furniture refresh at all campuses, renovation of finishes like paint, carpet, vinyl tile, and ceiling tiles
Includes technology for a 1:1 initiative for students, classroom furniture refresh at all campuses, renovation of finishes like paint, carpet, vinyl tile, and ceiling tiles
Growth Projects – 24%
Bertram Elementary- Increase capacity to 700 students with new classroom building, new hallways connecting all buildings, and expansion of the parking lot
Bertram Elementary- Increase capacity to 700 students with new classroom building, new hallways connecting all buildings, and expansion of the parking lot
Transportation – 3%
9 new buses
9 new buses
Safety/Security Projects – 7%
Remote access door systems at all classrooms, fire alarm system at Quest High School, and fencing of playgrounds at Shady Grove Elementary and RJ Richey Elementary
Remote access door systems at all classrooms, fire alarm system at Quest High School, and fencing of playgrounds at Shady Grove Elementary and RJ Richey Elementary
Roof, Plumbing, HCVAC & Mechanical Upgrades – 6%
Roof repairs and replacements at select areas, replace aging HVAC systems, and addressing drainage at selected areas
Roof repairs and replacements at select areas, replace aging HVAC systems, and addressing drainage at selected areas
Athletic Project – 18%
New weight room, new press box without an elevator, and new turf practice field with six-lane track
New weight room, new press box without an elevator, and new turf practice field with six-lane track
Fine Arts – 2%
Burnet High School Auditorium- Install new sound system, video projection, lights, follow spots, and stage curtain
Burnet High School Auditorium- Install new sound system, video projection, lights, follow spots, and stage curtain
Parking, Drives, & Sidewalk Repairs – 9%
Widen the bus lane and S curve, repair cracking drives and sidewalks, expand parking at stadium
Tax Information
If approved, the tax rate will be 7.5 cents less than 2018-2019 for a total tax rate of $1.185. This will be the fourth consecutive year that the Board of Trustees has voted to lower the tax rate.
If approved, the tax rate will be 7.5 cents less than 2018-2019 for a total tax rate of $1.185. This will be the fourth consecutive year that the Board of Trustees has voted to lower the tax rate.