The Ector County ISD Board of Trustees unanimously voted on Tuesday to place 3 school bond propositions on the ballot for Nov. 7.
The total price of the 3 proposition is $436,109,000 and will not require an increase in the district’s total tax rate, a news release detailed.
The items included in each of the propositions came as recommendations from the 2023 Bond Committee that worked from January to May developing this list. The committee studied reports ranging from demographic studies to school finance to facilities assessments to construction cost trends and more before reaching a consensus on the items to present to the school board.
The three bond packages that will be presented to voters are:
Proposition A – $424,263,000
- New Career & Technical Education Center to be located in south Odessa/Ector County
- New middle school to be located in west Ector County
- Districtwide maintenance and repairs
- Transportation Department: bus purchases and a new Transportation Facility
- Technology Department: replacement of district phone system, PA/Bell/Clock/Fire Alarm system replacements; security camera refresh; classroom interactive flat panels; large group instruction area audio/visual equipment Fine Arts Department: complete renovation of the Permian High School Auditorium; replace outdated instruments; performance risers for all middle school choirs; classroom instruments for elementary campuses; uniforms for middle school bands and mariachi; JROTC facility needs
- Transition Learning Center: compete replacement of facility for students with special needs learning to transition from school to the workforce
- Agriculture Farm: complete replacement of classroom buildings and barns
- Athletics: LED lighting at the Odessa High School baseball and tennis stadiums; LED lighting at the Permian High School baseball stadium; resurfacing of tennis stadiums at all middle schools; replacement of indoor bleachers in main gyms of all middle schools;
- Land purchase for new CTE Center and new middle school
Proposition B – $8,096,000
- Ratliff Stadium: concrete overlay of bleachers; update restrooms; LED lighting for stadium parking lot; LED lighting at track/field event venue; air conditioning/heating for south building locker rooms; replace one grass field with artificial turf; (also includes any major maintenance needs at the stadium complex identified in Facilities Assessment report).
Proposition C – $3,750,000
- New indoor practice facility for Odessa High School; new artificial turf for existing indoor practice facility at Permian High School (according to the law, these indoor practice facilities must be separate bond proposals for voters to consider.)
Next steps for the school district include meeting with community members to inform Ector County residents about the three proposals and answer any questions they may have. “We will be very active in getting information to our community,” said Superintendent Scott. Muri. “The last bond election, held in May 2022, saw very low voter turnout, less than ten-percent of Ector County voters. We want to see a much larger turnout this fall.”
Tax rate impact
Since 2020, ECISD has made early payments of about $37.3 million dollars on existing bonds, and by prepayments and refinancing, saved taxpayers $26.9 million in future interest payments. Based upon the district’s existing tax base, the district will not need to increase the total tax rate of $1.17792 to pay the $436,109,000 of bond projects.
Voting schedule
Early voting will be held Oct. 23-27, and Oct. 30-Nov. 3. Election Day is Nov. 7.
More information can be found at ectorcountyisd.org/Bond2023. Questions can be asked via the Ector County ISD Facebook page or by email at [email protected].
