CROSBY The local school trustees, in a unanimous seven to zero vote, approved calling for a bond election to be held on May 11, 2013.
Currently Crosby ISD property owners are paying $1.68 per $100 valuation, if passed voters will pay $2.01 per $100 valuation. If approved by voters, the tax rate increase required to finance the projects will not exceed 23 cents. The average Crosby ISD homeowner can expect to pay $17.68 more in taxes per month. There will be no tax increase above the frozen level on the homestead of taxpayers 65 years of age and older who have applied for and received the age 65 freeze.
If voters approve, the bonds will finance construction and conversion of the following education facilities as the first priorities and first phase of the Long Range Facility Improvement Program:
1. Construct a New High School, including ROTC building, Fieldhouse, Ag Barn, Tennis Courts, Auditorium, Fine Arts Facilities and Tech Center
2. Repurpose existing high school for use as a Middle School
3. Repurpose existing middle school for use as an Elementary School
4. Repurpose existing elementary school as expanded capacity at the Kindergarten Center
5. Construct a New Auto Stacking Drive at Newport Elementary School
6. Renovate existing Elementary School Playgrounds
7. Provide various district-wide renovations and repairs
Additionally, as growth, budget, financial feasibility and bond capacity allow, the District will implement the second priorities and second phase of the long range facility improvement program, including:
1. Construction of a new competition Baseball and Softball Fields
2. Construction of Cougar Stadium Renovations and Improvements
3. Provide additional district-wide renovations and repairs.
The total cost of the Long Range Facility Improvement Plan is $86.5 million, with the first phase and first priorities being approximately $76.5 million.
A Citizens+f Committee was established in October of 2012 to study the facility needs of the students of Crosby ISD and to make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees on a Long Range Facility Improvement Plan to address enrollment growth, to address aging facilities and to provide adequate facilities for the forthcoming grade and school re-alignment (which is planned to occur with or without any new facilities). The Citizens+f Committee recommendation and subsequent Board of Trustee review has resulted in a bond election to be held in May, so that the voters can decide on this plan.
Early Voting will occur from April 29th to May 7th. Early voting will be available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the CISD Administration Building, and extended early voting hours will be available at various locations throughout the early voting period as listed in the notice of election. Election Day voting will be available on May 11th from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the CISD Administration Building, Drew Intermediate School and Newport Elementary School.