By Edmond Ortiz
Residents in the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District will have four opportunities in April to learn more about a $295 million bond that the district will present to voters in May.
What you should know
SCUCISD voters will consider the multi-proposition bond package at the May 2 local elections, the result of action taken by the school board Feb. 12.
The school district’s Community Advisory Committee helped to pour over data, assess the conditions of existing facilities and collect public input before forwarding bond project recommendations to the school board.
Proposition A would set aside $230.7 million for renovations, expansions, and security, transportation, safety and technology upgrades at existing facilities.
Proposition B would allocate $55.3 million for improvements and expansion at Lehnhoff Stadium, and new artificial stadium turf at the Steele High and Corbett Junior High schools
Proposition C proposes $9.1 million for new computers, iPads, and Chromebooks for students and staff.
No new standalone construction projects are proposed in what will be the first SCUCISD bond election in 10 years.
District officials have said they do not anticipate any property tax rate over the first two years of an approved bond program. They have also said if an increase were necessary, it would affect the debt service, or interest and sinking, portion of the SCUCISD’s overall property tax rate. The district has lowered its tax rate by 33 cents since the 2020-2021 school year.
According to SCUCISD officials, if voters were to reject the bond, there would need to be a review of daily budgeted spending, specifically for staff and student programs, in order to address not only immediate needs at existing facilities but also a multi-million-dollar budget deficit.
Take action
SCUCISD is offering four informational meetings about the bond proposals. Attendees of each meeting will also be invited to tour the host campus:
*5:30-7 p.m. April 9 at Dobie Junior High School, 395 W. Borgfeld Road, Cibolo
*5:30-7 p.m. April 14 and 22 at Clemens High School, 1001 Elbel Road, Schertz
*5:30-7 p.m. April 21 at Steele High School, 1300 FM 1103, Cibolo
Early voting will be held 8 a.m.-5 p.m. April 20 and 22-24, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. April 25, and 7 a.m.-7 p.m. April 27 and 27 at the following sites:
*Redemptive Grace Ministries, 2240 FM 725, New Braunfels
*Guadalupe County Schertz Annex, 1101 Elbel Road, Schertz
*Selma City Hall, 9375 Corporate Drive, Selma
*Marion Independent School District Tondre Room, 500 Bulldog Lane, Marion
Election Day polls will be open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. May 2 at the four early voting locations as well as Seguin Elections Office, 3251 N. State Hwy. 123, Seguin, and Geronimo VFW Post 8456, 6808 N. State Hwy. 123, Seguin.
