Bond to fund 3 campuses, renovations

Opponents of New Caney ISD’s plan to keep close eye on the entire process

Voters in the New Caney Independent School District approved a $173 million bond package that district officials hope will accommodate the projected growth during the next five years.

“Accommodating student population growth and maintaining high-quality facilities for young people are the two main issues related to this bond referendum,” said New Caney ISD Superintendent Kenn Franklin.

The bond calls for the addition of 3,500 classrooms, which translates to three new campuses and renovations and improvements to 13 school campuses.

Franklin said the projects will start when the district begins selling bonds, possibly later this year.

“The selling of bonds will occur in phases as determined by the project timeline and the district’s bond capacity,” he said.

Although a timeline has not been set, Franklin said many of the projects were divided into phases to guide the work of setting timelines to start each project.

The initial project phase, as proposed, includes the building of the two elementary

schools, the early college high school, the natatorium, land purchases, and the beginning of renovations,” Franklin said

An estimated 57.9 percent of the ballots cast were in favor of the bond, while 42.1 percent of the voters in New Caney ISD voted against it.

Jan DeLaval, who lobbied against the bond in the weeks leading up to the election, said residents will need to keep a careful eye on how these bond funds are managed.

“I can tell you that despite our efforts, the bond did pass,” DeLaval said.

“Now we will have to watch the board very carefully to see that they do what they said they were going to do.

“We will also be watching who they contract with and if there is any connection between the board members and the contractors.”

In May 2012, voters approved a $97.5 million bond package that built Tavola Elementary, Woodridge Middle School, a new athletic stadium and made millions of dollars in renovations at other campuses.

While the district has seen steady growth during the last 10 years, DeLaval and others in the community said the money from the 2012 bond could have been better spent, and that luxuries, such as the athletic stadium, were a waste of taxpayer money.

“If I would not have been in this district for the previous bond election and the tax increase request, I would have no problem with the passage of this bond,” said Matt Keher, who opposed the bond.

“Anyone can look at the projected growth of the area and know that more schools are going to be needed.

“Updates and expansions are needed in some of the older campuses.

“However, how many of the updates that are being asked for could have already been paid for and completed if money from the 2012 bond were used?”

Although there was some opposition to the bond, Franklin said he plans to invite everyone in the community to work together on these projects, and promised there would be transparency as the work progresses in each stage of development.

“While an election represents the endpoint in one process, it also represents the beginning of another,” Franklin said.

“We will continue to invite parents and community members to be a part of this work. And as we move forward with projects related to this bond election, we will work hard to keep the community updated as things progress.”