Bond returns to voters after years of rejection

It won’t affect the pocket book, but it will ensure new renovations to both high schools. If passed, the bond will finish out the second floor, as well as put in additional career and technology classrooms. It also includes the expansion of the cafeteria, band hall, and building dressing rooms, a field house, artificial turf for the practice field, additional gym space and a weight room. These renovations will not raise property taxes.

It will offer a $21,125,000 bond package to be divided up between the two high schools. If voters approve the proposal, work will begin immediately on several of the items. 

“One of the first will be the second floor classrooms at WEHS,” Ian Halperin said. “Other projects will be designed and bid as soon as possible.”

Thanks to WISD’s fiscal responsibility, this proposal will not raise school property taxes.

“The current bond market and financial management has made it possible to refinance current bonds and pass that savings directly to our taxpayers,” Halperin said.

It is estimated that WISD will continue to grow by about 350 students per year so facility needs will not disappear if the bond isn’t passed.

“If the bond fails, we will continue to access our needs and current facilities to ensure we are providing for all student needs,” Halperin said.

Students who are 18 years old can vote for the bond, making this the first time students are permitted to vote on this school bond.

“I want to vote for the bond because we don’t have the facilities comparable to other schools,” Senior Ashley Braun said.

According to the WISD website, early voting begins April 30 and ends May 8. Election day is Saturday, May 12 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. All voting will take place at the Wylie ISD Educational Service Center (Administration Building), 951 S. Ballard Street.