BEXAR COUNTY, Texas – Stretching across southeastern Bexar County from Victor Breunig Lake to Interstate 10 and Loop 1604, East Central ISD has a lot of open space, but it’s quickly being filled.
“This used to be just farmland. Now there are a lot of houses here,” said Kim Rollins, a St. Hedwig resident.
With the arrival of the new division, East Central ISD’s student population has increased by about 2,100 students over the past decade and is expected to grow to 11,920 students this school year.
But that pales in comparison to the growth the district has in store for the next nine years. Enrollment is expected to more than double to 25,617 students by the 2033-2034 school year.
In the face of this explosive growth, the district is asking voters to build a second high school for $198.9 million and two new elementary schools for $50.6 million and $49.7 million.
Prop. B, a $331.1 million bond package, is one of ECISD’s four proposals on district voters’ ballots, and includes renovations and additions to East Central High School’s agricultural facilities, a new high school gymnasium, and Also included is $4 million in additional land. Purchase land for a future campus.
The question comes after voters already approved a $240 million bond package for 2022 that includes construction of one new middle school and two new elementary schools.
East Central ISD spokesperson Brandon Oliver told KSAT that the district anticipated having to return to the ballot box after the 2020 bond election.
“We listened to the community,” he said. “So they wanted a new high school, but according to demographers, first of all the occupancy of the elementary school will reach 120%. So what we need to do first is to approach that and reduce that crowding. to provide a third junior high school.”
As for whether the buildings included in the 2024 bond will be sufficient to accommodate the more than 25,600 students expected in nine years, Oliver said: But as you know, as you continue to work, you may find that you need additional space as a result of reviewing your equipment. ”
ECISD’s plan is based on research conducted by the College Station-based Demographers and Population Survey Analysts (PASA).
In a spring 2024 survey of the area, PASA predicted that the number of occupied housing units would increase by approximately 44,600 units in October 2033 compared to last fall.
Demographers hired by East Central ISD project an increase of 44,598 new residents by October 2033 compared to October 2023. (Population and Research Analyst)
1 out of 4
The district has four bond proposals on the ballot.
Props C and D are also bond packages, but for athletic facilities. Proposition C is a $10 million renovation of East Central High School’s Hornet Stadium, and Proposition D is an $18.9 million upgrade to the baseball and softball facilities, renovating the tennis building and building new courts.
But Prop. A would approve a new, higher tax rate that the school board had already set in the budget year. The money will go toward paying higher teacher salaries, paying for additional police officers and paying for additional safety measures.
Proposition A’s $6.6 million change to the district’s annual budget includes $2.8 million the district will receive from the state.
The district says these four proposals, taken together, would cost the average ECISD homeowner $378 a year in additional property taxes.
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