There are several bond issues on the ballots for the 2024 May election. Grayson College, Whitesboro ISD and Tioga ISD each had school bonds on the ballots and voters put their support behind growth in location entities.
Grayson College
Grayson College is asked voters to approve a $456,500,000 bond issue. Information put out by the college show that bond issue will not cause the college to raise its tax rate of 14.5991 cents per $100 valuation to finance this bond issue.
When put to voters 5,753 voted in favor of the bond and 4,016 voted against the measure so it passed.
What was it for?
The college plans to use the money to finance additions, renovations and safety and security improvements with projects at both the main campus in Denison and the South campus in Van Alstyne.
1. Industrial Technologies- increased capacity in current programs and additional physical space for new programs, ensuring spaces are flexible and interchangeable to stay on top of industry trends.
2. Health Sciences- shared spaces will provide collaboration in simulation labs and other spaces, providing increased capacity in current programs and additional physical space for new programs.
3. Residence Halls- modern amenities with increased capacity will provide improved safety, ensuring a welcoming and productive atmosphere for student living and learning.
4. Infrastructure and Support- improved and additional fiber, security, physical plant, parking and circulation to improve the safety, walkability and beauty of the campus environment.
The college said the projects will be done in two phases. The first will include a new main campus health sciences building; renovation and expansion of the main campus Technical Center (Industrial Technologies); a new main campus residence hall; improvements to main campus central quad, pedestrian circulation and campus signage; new network IT operations center; and a new campus security and police building.
The second phase will include a new Industrial Technology Education facility; new Career Technical Center; renovate existing health science building for classrooms and lab spaces; improvements to main campus central drive, utilities, parking, engineering and infrastructure; renovation to the south campus administration (Science labs, 4-5 new offices); renovation to the South Campus Technical Center (convert welding to new use); improvements to south campus central drive, utilities, parking, quad and infrastructure; addition of new maintenance, central shipping and receiving ground facility; and addition of new Student Connection Center (Student Services).
Whitesboro ISD Bond
Whitesboro ISD is sought approval for two propositions to help the district keep up with growth in the area.
Both propositions passed with Proposition A receiving 767 votes for and 524 votes against. Proposition B received 652 votes for and 635 against.
Propositions A and B were voted on independently.
Proposition A will cost $100 million and will increase the district’s taxes by 12.3 cents. It will pay for the construction of an early childhood center, a high school auditorium addition, a high school CTE addition, an Agri-Science arena, as well as district renovations to safety, security and buses.
Proposition B will cost $18 million and will include the construction of a multi-purpose building. It will add 5.8 cents to the district’s tax rate.
The property taxes increases proposed by the bond packages will not impact the taxes of those 65 and older with a homestead exemption. Taxes of those receiving the 65 and older homestead exemption are frozen at their present rate for as long as they maintain their homestead. Eligible taxpayers must apply for the exemption.
Tioga ISD
Tioga ISD wanted voters to pass $26,305,000 in bonds so the district can refinance the bonds used to build the current high school. Voters agreed that the amount was necessary with 182 votes in favor and 155 votes against.
The refinancing will allow the district to pay for the school out of its I&S funds which are generally used for construction projects rather than with its M&O (or operating funds) which are generally used for things like teacher’s salaries.
School boards
There were also some big changes taking place in area school districts. Here is how school boards fared in recent elections.
Gunter ISD Place 2
Scott Meyerdirk 318
Jerry C. Harris Jr. 227
Pottsboro ISD
Vote for none, one or two:
Audrea Shea Perdu 385
Mike Springer 204
Casey Shines 324
Doyle Roy Jr. 377
Sherman ISD
School Board Trustee Place 1 (three-year term)
vote for non or one
Evan Martin 973
Nathan Cain 1,091
Calvin Holland 465
School Board Trustee Place 2 (three-year term)
vote for none or one
Brad Morgan 1,130
Stephen Clayton 984
Jordan Johnson 421
S&S Consolidated School District
Board of Trustee Place 5
vote for none or one
Tommy Carney 128
Brian Clark 189
Board of Trustee Place 6
Jeffrey McSpeeden 87
Randall Leach 44
Andrew Reeves 130
Chris Lopez 53
Tioga ISD
Board of Trustee Place 2
Patty Wheeler 119
Dallas Slay 210
Board of Trustee Place 5
Vote for non or one
Dugan Rainey 237
Board of Trustee Place 6
Vote for none or one
Stacy Price 246
Whitesboro ISD
Trustee full term (vote for none, one or two)
Kevin Hartless 566
Whitney Walsh-Seitz 439
Jeff Patterson 722
Caleigh Latta 77
Nicole Hawkins 194
Whitewright ISD
Trustee (three-year term) (vote for none, one or two)
Christina McMillin 194
Tammy Francis 241
Allen Walker 65
Bobby Worthy 268
Justin Minzenmayer 116
