While most agree that HISD schools require a lot of work, some are not convinced that the money will be put to good use.
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — This is a serious problem with a high price tag. HISD is aiming to pass a $4.4 billion bond this election. This is the largest school bond in state history. And while many agree the district needs improvement, not everyone supports that bond.
KHOU recently toured Cornelius Elementary School with members of the HISD Bond Oversight Committee. He said he had the opportunity to see up close what a school like this needs. But despite these needs, some worry that the money won’t be well spent.
There may be one thing that people from all walks of life agree on when it comes to bond issuance. That said, HISD schools have a lot of work to do. Monica Rojas sees it every day at her school, Corneira Elementary School.
“Over 150 work orders have been issued. That’s happening almost every day,” Rojas said.
Some of the temporary buildings are 50 years old.
“Grandparents, parents and current students are going to be in the same building. That’s enough advocacy,” said Oversight Committee member Christopher Cora.
In the Montrose area, Becky Smith’s daughter’s school, Poe Elementary School, also needs help.
“It has a bit of an old building smell. There are some issues that need to be addressed,” she said.
But Smith said multi-million dollar bonds are not the answer. She’s spending her lunch break in Bayland Park trying to tell other voters why not.
“This is a shiny toy with a big shiny price tag. We can do better. We can take our time. It doesn’t have to take a lot of time. It doesn’t have to take 10 years, but the community The input process should take more than four months,” Smith said.
HISD’s $4.4 billion bond proposal is divided into two parts. Supporters of Proposition A would fund extensive construction and other renovations targeted at 40 aging campuses, while also funding mold removal, drinking water and air conditioning security upgrades. Some claim that they will provide it.
“I don’t vote for that, and I never will,” said voter Curtis Henderson.
“I wonder how he could think so quickly for something so big,” said voter Josie Latimer.
Proposition B focuses on technology, equipment, and infrastructure improvements.
So if so many parents and voters agree that Houston ISD needs help, why don’t they support this bond? The person appointed was Mike Miles.
“Building community confidence in our democracy means ensuring that bond spending is led by people elected by and accountable to voters, and who has been around for a long time and is a member of the community. “Is it there?” Smith said. Said.
KHOU political expert Brandon Rottinghaus said you should expect intense scrutiny with bonds this large, and voters may lack confidence that the funds will be effectively executed. said.
“When a bond is written in a way that allows the funds to be used in a more general kind of way, rather than being specific to a particular project or a particular role. But generally speaking, bond writers want it to be very clear, and voters want it to be very clear,” Rottinghaus said. Ta.
Supporters are asking voters to put politics aside and approve funding for Houston schools. But some see this as an opportunity to tell the state what they think about district takeovers.
