Gonzales ISD board approves bond election

The Gonzales Independent School District Board of Trustees set in motion a $95 million November bond election with their vote at the Monday, Aug. 14 regular meeting.

The board approved two propositions that’ll be voted on in November; Proposition A is for safety and security enhancements, general renovations and improving of aging buildings (Gonzales High School, Junior High School, North Avenue, Elementary School, Maintenance and Administration Building), and construction of a new Career Technology Education building and a new Agricultural Barn.

Proposition B is the construction of a new athletic complex which details a 7,000-seat artificial turf soccer/football stadium, eight tennis courts, baseball field, softball field, and an eight-lane track and field events.

GISD Superintendent Dr. Elmer Avellaneda said this bond election was two years in the making since he became the superintendent of schools at GISD.

Avellaneda said he wanted to focus on academics first before discussing a bond for the school district and accomplished that with 18 out of 22 assessments showing improvement.

“It has been nine years since Gonzales ISD held a bond election to address major facility improvements and renovations,” said Avellaneda. “The proposed projects included in the propositions will address improvements at existing campuses that will serve the needs of our students and staff.” 

The district received valuable input from citizens, business leaders, parents, school administrators and teachers to prioritize the district’s current and future needs. After several listening and meeting sessions and garnered input through a survey, the Bond Committee and the Gonzales ISD Board of Trustees concluded with the final recommendations for two separate propositions in the bond proposal.

“We are grateful to the Board and our committee members for their continued commitment to our students and staff,” said Superintendent Avellaneda. “The conservative bond proposal will  address the growing demand for CTE and other innovative programs, make upgrades to improve safety and security, and address deficiencies identified in our facilities while remaining fiscally responsible and good stewards of taxpayer dollars.”

During the discussion phase of the bond, the district originally had a third proposition for a construction of a new high school, but school board members gave their opinions about why they didn’t put in all three proposition in the November election.

An estimated amount provided to Gonzales ISD by Region 13 consultants reveals that a new high school build is approximately $144 million, just shy of reaching the bond capacity for residents of Gonzales.

“Building a brand-new school could potentially put the district and its taxpayers in a challenging situation, the district's bond capacity is $207 million and the addition of a new high school would cost $144 million,” Avellaneda said. “The combination of three propositions would put us at $206 million. By removing the addition of a new high school, this approach prevents overextension of the district's bond capacity, while safeguarding the interests of the community.”

“I know the need for a high school and I know a lot of the younger generation, they're really wanting the stadium,” board member Josie Smith-Wright said. “I would love to be able to afford all three. But I'm terrified, just like a lot of us are, for our bond to be maxed out at $209 million and then we have no money left.”

Board member Gloria Torres said she wanted to add the high school proposition, but will support what the board decides.

“I think it's good if we're looking at some of the improvements now for the high school., so eventually Junior High can move over there and we can move forward,” board Member D’Anna Robinson said.

Robinson added she doesn’t want the new high school completely off the table and the district needs a new one.

“Like Ms. Smith-Wright, I don't want us to cap ourselves out and then be in trouble with no extra funding,” Robinson said.

Board President Ross Hendershot III said he appreciates all the comments from the board members about this move, and he added he shows support for all the propositions, but will have to move forward with administration’s recommendations.

“I think it's important that we continue forward and develop a timeline and a plan and actually go through some of the architecture and planning to put a date to that timeline and look forward to that additional campus in the future,” Hendershot said.

The board voted unanimously, 7-0, to approved the bond election at presented. The potential $95 million bond is estimated to require a property tax increase of 15.27 cents per $175,000 valuation, this translates to an increase of roughly $114.53 per year or $9.54 per month.

Voters will decide November 7 whether to approve Gonzales ISD’s $95 million bond proposal.

The last day to register to vote for the Nov. 7, 2023 election is Tuesday, Oct. 10. Early voting is Monday, Oct. 23 through Friday, Nov. 3. The ballot will allow voters to vote “for” or “against” the two measures.

In other board business, the board approved the following agenda items:

--approved Construction/Renovation associated with the current lease agreement of the Pace building located on N. Fair Street.

--approved a Resolution Establishing Shared Services with the GISD Education Foundation.

--approved to Authorize the Superintendent to Sign the Legal Services Retainer Agreement with Walsh Gallegos Trevino Russo & Kyle P.C.

--approved the List of Teacher Appraisers and Appraisal Calendar for the 2023-2024 school year.

--approved Meal Prices for the 2023-2024 School Year.

--approved the TEA Staff Development Waiver Minutes Application and Additional Campus Operational Minutes.

--approved an Agreement for the Purchase of Attendance Credits (Option 3 Agreement) and to Delegate Contractual Authority to the Superintendent.

--approved a Notice of Public Meeting to Discuss Budget and Proposed Tax Rate.