On Nov. 2, the BISD Board of Trustees will ask us, the voters, to approve two propositions aimed at improving school facilities across the district.

What does that mean for the student, and what does that mean for the taxpayer?

For Brownsboro Elementary School students, they will be attending a new Brownsboro Elementary for grades PreK through third grade, with 70,707 square feet, built 1.4 miles west of the current location.

For Chandler Elementary School students, they will see an addition of 12 new classrooms, a new cafetorium, new administration offices, new HVAC system, new roof, renovated restrooms, corridor upgrades, renovated library and an upgraded student pick-up and drop-off area.

The building size will increase to 83,969 square feet

For Brownsboro Junior High students, they will be able to walk under a covered walkway from their current campus to the current BES, which will be converted to classroom space and renovated for Brownsboro Junior High School students. They will no longer be required to cross a public street to attend classes.

The junior high will also be fitted with technology upgrades, a new HVAC system, new roof, restroom renovations and the removal of temporary buildings that are more than 20 years old.

Finally, for Brownsboro High School students, they will benefit from technology upgrades, and with the passage of proposition 2, they will see an increase in classroom space and the addition of a new 12,000-square-foot athletic fieldhouse.

Now, what does this mean for the taxpayer? The impact of an approximate 28-million-dollar bond means property taxes will increase. The amount is 18 cents per $100 valuation. The realized cost on a $100,000 homestead is an increase of $113.69 annually and $9.47 monthly.

The question that must be weighed is this: Are the changes worth the cost? Perhaps to answer that question, one should take the time to tour our elementary campuses during the lunch hour, or perhaps park your car at the cross walk as junior high students make their way in the elements across the street.

Scenarios across the board were addressed and it is unlikely any individual can think of one that was not considered to solve the tremendous needs across the district. The propositions being brought before us for a vote are the result of weighing the cost against the need, and this is an economically efficient solution to our situation.

Michele Blackmon

Build-A-Bear

Committtee