Mabank ISD voters to decide $10 million bond question

mabank logoBy Michael V. Hannigan

Early voting begins this week and in Mabank ISD that means it is time for voters to decide on a $10 million bond.

I learned a few things about this bond proposal at a town hall meeting held last Thursday, such as:

1. The Cost

In a reverse from most school bonds I’ve covered, the price tag came first in this proposal. Simply put, Mabank ISD currently has the chance to pass the $10 million bond without raising taxes.

How? According to officials, it is because the school district has been able to restructure current bonds to save money.

Assistant Superintendent Scott Adams said, “No tax increase is needed to repay the increased amount of debt MISD is seeking due to the use of bond refunding savings, along with using the current Debt Service Fund Balance to fund any balance needed above the current tax levied….”

Bond advocates are saying this is an opportunity that shouldn’t be missed.

2. The Needs

Like most public schools, I am sure, the district easily has $10 million worth of projects needing to be done throughout the district and a committee has been formed to decide which projects should come first.

The priorities are being listed as:

  • Enhance security throughout the district
  • Adding classrooms to accommodate growth
  • Modify existing classrooms for Career and Technology Education (CTE)
  • Limited parking updates and improvements

During Thursday’s meeting, it seemed the committee was zeroing in on putting security, expansion at Central Elementary and CTE at the high school and new roofs at the two other elementary campuses at the top of the list.

3. The Committee

The committee is chaired by Robin Neighbors, who said the committee is composed of 17 members, including “community members, parents, grandparents, business owners, faculty of the school district.”

During last week’s town hall meeting, Neighbors said the committee was created for two reasons:

– Tour the campuses, ask questions and see for themselves the needs. List any problems they might see with the facilities and school district.

– To recommend to the school board how best to spend the $10 million bond if approved. Prioritize the needs.

4. The Ballot

We all know how legalese works and the ballot proposition for the bond is full of legalese. For instance, the ballot language includes buses even though the district may not buy buses with the money because … well, because that’s the way legalese works.

This is how the ballot will look.

The issuance of $10,000,000 of bonds by Mabank Independent School District for the acquisition, construction and equipment of school buildings, including the purchase of new school buses, and the purchase of the necessary sites for school buildings and levying the tax in payment thereof, including the costs of any credit agreements executed in connection with the bonds.

5. The Town Halls

There are two town hall meetings remaining:

  • Oct. 22nd, Thursday – Gun Barrel City Town Hall Meeting, 6.30 p.m.
  • Oct. 27th, Tuesday – Cedar Creek Country Club, 6 p.m.

6. The Dates

Early voting began Monday, Oct. 19, and will run through Friday, Oct. 30. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.