"In 2014, the Texas Comptroller honored BISD with the Leadership Circle Platinum Award, which is the state's highest award, for financial transparency," Superintendent Dr. Darrell G. Brown said. "The Board is committed to continue a high level of transparency, which includes measures to ensure taxpayer trust."
On Aug. 14, Birdville ISD's Board of Trustees unanimously called for a bond election to be held as part of the general election on November 4. BISD voters are being asked to consider a $163.2 million bond program that was developed with extensive community input by a diverse group of citizens from all parts of the district. The program approved by the Board includes safety and security upgrades at every campus; science lab renovations/upgrades; rebuilding North Richland Middle School, The Academy at West Birdville Elementary School and Birdville Elementary School; renovations and upgrades to facilities across the district; and technology upgrades to address instructional requirements and obsolete equipment districtwide.
The Board also embraced several best practices for the impending November 4 bond election. These procedures are intended to ensure greater transparency, higher standards of disclosure, and fair polling practices. This comes after consulting with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Secretary of State, elected officials and community groups.
"We are pleased to take a leadership position and continue our commitment for transparency to our taxpayers," said Board President Cary D. Hancock. "The District is addressing needed solutions while being prudent, as our community justifiably desires."
As part of the best practices embraced by the Board, BISD will maintain their standard of not issuing bonds for items past their projected useful life. This ensures BISD will continue to repay bonds for items such as technology in five years or less. It has long been BISD's practice to repay all other bonds in 25 years or less. In addition, BISD does not plan to issue Capital Appreciation Bonds.
As part of the embraced practices, methods used for early voting locations will also change. The District will not offer branch or "rolling" polling. Only early voting locations provided by the County will be available to voters. During early voting, BISD voters can vote at any early voting location in Tarrant County. However, on Election Day, voters can only vote at their designated precinct.
To learn more about the upcoming bond election, visit www.BISDbond14.net.
