Lubbock ISD explains new bond package

LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - Lubbock ISD voters only have about a month left to make their decision about a bond proposal.

Last month, the district’s Board of Trustees approved it to go on the May ballot.

The $290 million bond package was developed by the Future Focus Committee, which included community members, parents, educators, and district leaders.

Superintendent Kathy Rollo says the committee initially recommended a $178.3 million bond, but that the board expanded it to meet additional needs.

“We had over $400 million worth of needs identified across the district with regard to our facilities,” Rollo said.

Lubbock ISD’s bond proposal is designed to meet most of those needs, split into four main categories.

The biggest cost, totaling $151 million, would focus on what the district calls efficiency, as well as funding to build new schools.

The district plans to consolidate six schools into three, due to aging infrastructure and a decline in student enrollment.

“The cost per student in a school with 350 students or less is much higher than the cost per student when you move into a school with 500 to 700 students,” Rollo said.

Rollo says new schools improve efficiency and reduce costs, while providing better environments for learning.

She points to the consolidation of Wright, Guadalupe, and Jackson elementaries into Anita Carmona-Harrison as a result of the 2018 bond.

“Just in the first year we saved $1.8 million in operating expenses. A one-percent raise for our staff across the board is about $1.5 million,” Rollo said.

$75 million would go towards capital renewal and infrastructure.

This includes improvements to roofing, plumbing, and parking.

$47 million would go to academic programming, which includes renovations to middle school auditoriums and science labs, as well as expansion to school programs.

“Our welding program in Lubbock ISD is extremely popular and extremely full and we do not want to have to turn kids away from going into a career they are interested in,” Rollo said.

Lastly, $17 million would go towards security.

This includes the installation of window film, fencing, new doors, and enhanced cameras.

“There’s always a need to assess what we have in place and see what we need to add to ensure that we are at the highest standards of safety,” Rollo said.

Rollo says the bond is structured to keep the tax rate the same, despite state law requiring the ballot saying it’s an increase to property tax.

While your property tax bill could increase, that’s often caused by an increase in your property value.

The district cannot raise the rate beyond its current level without voter approval.

Rollo hopes the bond will pass or cuts would need to be made.

“If we don’t have that, then we will have to start looking at programs and people and looking at ways to trim there,” Rollo said.

Election day is May 3. Early voting is April 22 through 29.

Lubbock ISD is hosting several community meetings to provide additional details and answer questions.