Bond supporters continue to rally for BISD
By Lori Thomason

Signs have popped up all over town, and organizers keeping getting requests for more. And the committee, "FOR the Future of BISD," has yet to rest. The next step is a town hall meeting at 6 p.m. Nov. 2 at Bullard Southern Baptist Church to present facts and answer questions, said co-chair Dr. John Alexander.

The issue the group is trying its best to address is the idea that the bond proposal -- $28.5 million - is not for a football stadium.

The stadium represents about 12 percent of the total bond package; the 88 percent voters should recognize and pay most attention to is going, Alexander said, to educational needs.

This committee, he said, whose mission has been to inform the public of the upcoming issue has met a bit of opposition, but never unfriendly and many times, educational for both sides.

Last week the group met with business leaders one night and volunteer firefighters the next.

"The firefighters were a hard sell, but in the end, I think they really began to rethink things once the facts were presented to them," said co-chair Sam Smith. "Rumors have to be refuted, and the facts must be presented clearly so people really know what's going on."

Alexander agreed.

"It's misconceptions that hurt us, and we want it cleared up," said Alexander, who is also a BISD trustee. "Everyone wants to say this is all about good old East Texas football, and that's far from the truth."

The committee held the two meetings in addition to going door to door - explaining the bond and answering questions about how the money will be spent.

Eighty-eight percent of the bond money would be used for:

* an 80,000-square-foot brand new elementary school (2nd - 4th grade) that will be constructed on a new road between FM 2493 and the new campus, therefore alleviating traffic problems Cost: $15.1 million.

* renovations to Bullard Intermediate School (5th-6th grade): a new library; two science classrooms; new entryway. Cost: $2.7 million.

* renovations to the existing elementary school (pre-K - 1st grade) and middle school (7th -8th grade). Cost: $500,000.

* additions to Bullard High School: a fine arts center, drama classroom, two general classrooms, cafeteria and gym seating expansions. Cost: $5.6 million.

Treasurer Darren Davis has been part of the bond process for months now, first serving on the facilities committee.

The committee, which was made up of about 60 members of the community, was a mix of business people, school administrators, educators, parents and every other sector of the community.

Davis said he had no idea how dire the needs of the schools really were until the committee began its meeting in April with tours of all the campuses.

"The real meat of the bond proposal involves a new elementary school that will accommodate growth into the next decade," Davis said. "Our committee is simply placing the highest level of importance directly where it belongs on the future of Bullard kids, families, and the community."

According to Texas School Planning and Dr. Arnold Oates, who studied area demographics in Bullard and surrounding areas for months prior to bond discussions, Bullard is ahead of all other surrounding cities in growth at a percentage change of 37.5, followed by Whitehouse at 29.2 percent.

As Bullard's population grows, the district is likely to bear the brunt of a projected population spike, causing enrollment to soar.

And even those who don't have children still have a vested interest in the district's quality.

"If we don't invest wisely; we all lose. Anyone who has purchased property within Bullard made a substantial investment," Smith said.

"One of the biggest draws when buying property here is our schools and those who don't have

children should still want to see their investment stay strong and increase in value," Smith said.

"Without good schools, communities deteriorate - allowing that to happen makes everyone's investment diminish in value."

If approved, the bond issue would result in a tax rate increase of about 28.5 cents, but proponents say taxes will be reduced overall by 2008 due to legislative mandates.

Because of House Bill 1 to these mandates, the actual school related taxes that a resident now pays would be lower than what they pay currently.

The Bullard Board of Trustees approved a 2006-07- tax rate of $1.487 per $100 property valuation.

"This is a very unique time concerning school property taxes in Texas," Davis said. "This past spring, The Texas legislature mandated a school property tax reduction to take place over the next two years."

The mandate, Davis said, would leave taxpayers with a lower tax rate by 2008.

"Although the bond increases the tax rate by about 28 cents per $100 valuation, our rate will be lower in 2008 than it is now."

Taxpayers over the age of 65 can apply to have their tax rates frozen and thus passage of this bond proposal would not have any affect on their current tax structure.

Proponents also expect a steady housing influx to provide additional revenue that will give the district more discretion over how it pays the bonds.

Property valuations in the district have been growing by about $60 million a year.

And while it has a price tag, the legions supporting the bond know one thing: it's about education.

"These facilities will keep our students on the cutting edge of learning and will equip our teachers with the necessary tools and environment needed to provide a first-class education," Smith said.

Alexander said there are ancillary benefits for the community at large, too.

"This project will give the community and its families facilities that further define Bullard's pride and sense of community," he said.