Published: March 12, 2008 07:22 pm            

Vidor ISD calls for May bond election

By Tommy Mann Jr.

The Orange Leader



VIDOR ’ The Vidor Independent School District is the latest district to join the growing list of those calling for bond elections this school year.

The VISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved a motion calling for a bond election this May at a school board meeting held earlier this week.

The Vidor school bond election will consist of two propositions worth $61.6 million in facility improvements.

Proposition 1 consists of $46.4 million worth of improvements and repairs to district facilities, as well as the construction of a new administration building.

If approved, the new administration building would be constructed at a site to be determined and would cover approximately 14,000 square feet.

Although the high school boasts some of the newest additions to the district, such as a 1,800 capacity gymnasium and a state-of-the-art library, much more work is planned at the campus, if Proposition 1 is passed. According to Mike Quinn, school board president, the bond includes calling for the construction of a new, two-story building to house classrooms and the upgrading of the vocational areas on the campus as well.

Proposition 1 also calls for the construction of an all new facility on Orange Street, across from the high school, in an effort to ’replace and consolidate’ several district departments, including the AIM Center High School, school district police, Homebound studies and more.

Improvements at Vidor Elementary under Proposition 1 would include new classroom additions, a remodeled front entrance and new parking. Construction of a new gymnasium was recently completed at the campus.

According to Quinn, Oak Forest Elementary is in need of a new library, classrooms and a gymnasium, complete with a stage, to serve as a ’gymatorium’ for school functions. Parking and driveway improvements would be included as well.

Pine Forest Elementary, which is located in north Vidor, could see improvements and construction projects for a new cafeteria, a ’gymatorium,’ library, driveway and parking.

Improvements slated for Vidor Middle School would include a classroom addition, which would house areas such as computer labs, art classes and music rooms. Major changes to the parent pickup and parking would be in store, too.

Vidor Junior High School could see extensive work with the construction of a new classroom building meant to replace an existing structure, while renovating the fine arts building would be a priority as well. Quinn also said a new gym and library are part of the current Proposition 1 list.

Improvements for other district departments, such as purchasing and transportation, would also be included under Proposition 1.

Proposition 2 consists of more than $15.1 million in district-wide improvements, including the remodeling of the nurse’s office, teachers lounge and restrooms at Vidor Elementary, while Oak Forest additions would include improvements to the Life Skills restrooms.

Renovations at Pine Forest called under Proposition 2 would include renovations of the nurse’s office, storage facilities and new restrooms, while Vidor Middle School could see improvements to the Life Skills restrooms, nurse’s office, a pavilion for physical education and classroom renovations.

A big addition being included under Proposition 2 at Vidor High School is new turf for the football stadium, along with an expansion of the current auditorium facility.

’One of the things we are trying to do with this bond is eliminate portable buildings,’ Quinn said. ’We would like to see everything built on a permanent slab. We want to be good stewards of the community and take care of our district’s needs for the next 40 to 50 years.’

Quinn said the district will hold several public information meetings at some of the district's campuses prior to the election. Residents of the Vidor school district will be able to see presentations and most likely ask questions during those gatherings.

’Our intent is to have at least three of these public meetings,’ Quinn said. ’The district will be there to provide information to the public about what the projects will be. At each campus, there will be a list of all district projects and the costs. The board will be there to respond to people’s questions.’

VISD taxpayers could see a significant increase in school taxes if voters approve both propositions of the bond during the May 10 election.

One estimate shows as much as a 35 cent increase per $100 valuation by the 2010-2011 school year. Even with that much of an increase, the estimated rise should still be less than the 2005-2006 tax rate of $1.6025 per $100 valuation.

’The tax rate will be lower than it was two years ago,’ Quinn said. ’The tax rate is something our voters are always concerned about and that is some of the information which will be available at these meetings. We just want to provide the facts so people are well informed.’

If Proposition 1 is passed by voters, but Proposition 2 fails, then the tax rate increase could be significantly less.

Proposition 2 is set up so it can only be approved by voters if proposition 1 is approved at the polls as well. Proposition 1 can be approved separately, however, even if proposition 2 fails.

Election day is May 10 in Orange County, but early voting will begin April 28 and end May 6. Other local districts calling for bond elections this year include Little Cypress-Mauriceville CISD and West Orange-Cove CISD.

Reach this reporter at 409-883-3571, Ext. 2619 or tmann@orangeleader.com

        

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