By As the November elections approach, Houston ISD will be asking voters to approve a critical school bond aimed at improving the district’s infrastructure. Veronica Garcia, chief policy officer for Good Reason Houston, outlines the urgent need for these improvements in a recent op-ed published in the Houston Chronicle.
The $4.4 billion bond proposal will be the largest bond in the state and would not replace current debt payments. Most of the money will be used to renovate and rebuild elementary schools and for campus safety. One billion will be used to expand pre-kindergarten and career and technical education.
However, Garcia highlights that already there is opposition to the bond proposal, amid discontent with the state takeover. She points out that this is not about the state takeover, but about the children.
“A school bond isn’t a referendum on the school superintendent or the takeover,” Garcia wrote. “It’s our city’s pledge to upgrade basic learning conditions for HISD students, and working conditions for the district’s teachers.”
She argues that nearly 80% of HISD students are economically disadvantaged, and the majority are students of color. These students are disproportionately affected by inadequate school facilities.
“To those who are already actively campaigning against the bond — a bond that would go to pay for desperately needed infrastructure for students — we ask that you pause and ask yourself, “What is best for our children?” If HISD moves forward with a bond proposal, we hope Houstonians will choose to put students and teachers first and vote to support it,” Garcia said. “Kids can’t wait any longer.”
HISD has not requested a bond approval from voters since 2012, which addressed high school facility needs. The last bond for elementary and middle schools was approved in 2007.
