FORT WORTH (WBAP/KLIF News) – Residents who live within the Fort Worth Independent School District voted Tuesday night to pass the largest school bond in Tarrant County History.
The district’s Clint Bond said the $750 million bond will focus on improvements to primarily 14 schools.
“We are going to spend money from bond sales on capital improvements like construction,” he said.
A “penny swap” portion of the bond will take care of smaller items like band instruments and buses. The swap will give the district an additional $23 million a year for maintenance and other items.
Bond said residents won’t see any tax increases due to the bond.
“Because the property values in Tarrant County and much of North Texas if not the entire state have increased. So, for the same amount of tax that gives us some additional money,” he said.
The passage of the bond will allow for a new elementary school as well as the planned renovations.
District Superintendent Dr. Kent Scribner said officials are eager to get started on projects that were approved by the voters.
“Thank you, voters, for your support of the Fort Worth ISD and of your confidence in our mission – to prepare ALL students for success in college, career and community leadership,” he said.
Trustees will consider several items involved with the employment of a project manager, the hiring of architects and engineers at their next meeting.
Dr. Scribner said the district welcomes thoughts and feedback from parents, teachers, staffers and students as the campus improvements are planned.
“You have our commitment that we will work to fulfill your trust in us with the transparent implementation of a program that will truly impact our schools, our students and our community,” he said.
Residents seemed to be overwhelmingly in favor of both propositions: the bond package received 78% voter approval and the penny swap received a 74% voter approval.
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