School Bond 2007 wins voter approval

Northside voters overwhelmingly approved a $692.67 million bond package Saturday, giving the go-ahead for the District to make improvements at existing schools and build a dozen new schools to respond to explosive enrollment growth.

About 69 percent of voters gave the thumbs up to School Bond 2007, the largest school bond proposal in San Antonio’s history.

“I want to express my thanks to all the voters who took the time to educate themselves on Northside’s needs and then went to the polls to vote,” Superintendent John Folks said. “Our building program now will be able to continue uninterrupted and we’ll be able to serve the thousands of new students who move into our District each year.”

The first new schools funded by School Bond 2007 will open in 2009-10, when enrollment is expected to be pushing 95,000 students. Enrollment, now 82,767, is growing by about 4,000 students per year, and last month, Northside surpassed Austin ISD to become the fourth largest district in Texas.

This is the fifth consecutive bond proposal Northside voters have approved since 1995. Of the past five bond issues, School Bond 2007 had the widest approval margin and also the most number of voters. More than 29,000 residents cast ballots.

“The citizens of Northside once again recognized the need for excellence in public education,” said Randy Fields, president of the Board of Trustees. “That’s good for jobs, that’s good for property values, that’s good for San Antonio, and that’s good for Texas.”

Highlights of School Bond 2007 include:

• Twelve new schools, including one high school, two middle schools, and nine elementary schools
• Classroom additions at existing schools
• Land for future schools
• Upgraded libraries and new science labs, kitchens, and roofs at various campuses
• Air conditioning for middle and high school gyms
• Security cameras for all middle schools
• Equipment for safer playgrounds
• Up-to-date technology for classrooms
• New buses

The average Northside homeowner – whose property is valued at $138,137 – will actually see a reduction in property taxes next year. The decrease is a result, in part, of a legislative mandate that lowered the maintenance and operations (M&O) tax rate of school districts across the state. In addition, Northside leaders have reduced the District’s budget to keep the tax rate low, and a growing business community is relieving the tax burden for homeowners.

For more information about the tax impact of School Bond 2007, and for a detailed list of proposed projects, visit http://bond.nisd.net/.