Voters in Arlington approved a $663 million bond package full of improvements for the Arlington Independent School District Saturday.
The package was approved by a wide margin, despite being hotly contested leading up to the election. With 94 percent of the vote tallied, voters were 70 percent for the bond package and only 30 percent against.
“”We are pleased that the voters supported this bond program, which will allow the district to implement a long-range facilities master plan designed to honor tradition while investing in the future,” Superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos said in a statement. “The items included will allow us to provide increased access and opportunities for our students in order to meet our mission to empower and engage all students to be contributing, responsible citizens reaching their maximum potential through relevant, innovative and rigorous learning experiences.”
Among the things the $663.1 million school bond would pay for are two new elementary schools, a new career and technical center, new buses, several security and technology upgrades, and improvements to athletic facilities at high schools. The list was compiled by a 38-member steering committee tasked with assessing the district’s needs and later approved by the AISD School Board.
“On behalf of the Board, I want to thank the community for their input throughout the process and for the support of the district,” said Board President Bowie Hogg. “We look forward to starting the work to complete the items in this bond package over the next five years.”
The bond package will be funded by a property tax increase. AISD estimates it will cost a homeowner with a $100,000 home an extra $126 each year in property taxes.
Learn more about the bond here: http://www.aisd.net/bond/
