LONGVIEW, Texas — Longview ISD is calling for an election on May 7 for their $229 million bond to address various facility needs and campus improvements.
If the bond is approved by voters on May 7, the four bond propositions will fund significant renovations to the Longview High School campus, including a new Career & Technical Education facility; an Extracurricular Events Center; a new Early Childhood campus; and other repairs and facility updates.
Majority of bonds include a tax increase for voters, but Assistant Superintendent for Finance Dr. Wayne Guidry said that this is not the case for the bond and the tax rate would stay the same.
"If approved by voters, Longview ISD would be utilizing a General Obligation Bond. This is a debt of the school district that is payable from taxes against property within the school district," he said. "The proceeds the district would receive from the sale of the general obligation bonds would be used to pay the costs of the projects. Principal and Interest payments would come from an annual debt service property tax levy that is levied against all property within the boundaries of the district."
This means that there is no tax rate increase, and that the improvements and projects within the district can be fully funded without an increase to the tax rate.
Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox has said that there will be an LISD Bond Committee formed to help provide information to the community, as well as guiding the direction of the project if approved by voters.
In Aug. 2021, the board approved a maintenance and operations rate of $0.94170; and interest and sinking tax rate of $0.4730; creating a total tax rate of $1.41470 per $100 valuation. This is a decrease from the previous year, as Longview ISD has reduced the tax rate for the last three years.
Voters approved a $267 million bond package in 2008, which paid to build new campuses at Bramlette; Hudson PEP; J.L. Everhart; Ned E. Williams; Ware Elementary Schools; Forest Park Middle School; and Foster Middle School. It additionally paid for renovations and additions to Johnston-McQueen Elementary School; Bailey Elementary School; Judson Middle School; and Longview High School.
Between November and December 2021, Longview ISD contracted the Center for Quality Leadership to complete a facilities assessment. Additionally, they helped contribute to developing a master plan for potential improvements; repairs; and upgrades throughout the district.
"Without attention to facilities, within the next ten years all of our facilities will require extensive repair at the same time," said Dr. Wilcox. "If approved by the voters of Longview ISD, this bond provides the means to make significant facility updates and upgrades for the students, staff, and community."
The last day to register to vote for the bond is April 7. Early voting lasts from April 25 to May 3, with Election Day being May 7. For any questions over the election, contact the Gregg County Elections Office at (903) 236-8458.
