May 10, 2008
 
HPISD voters approve $75.4 million bond issue

Voters in Highland Park ISD overwhelmingly approved a $75.4 million school bond issue today with 91.15% backing the proposition. The vote was 1,844 to 179.

 

"I am deeply grateful to the community for supporting the bond issue and for investing in the maintenance of the historical school houses that have served the students of HPISD for many decades," HPISD Superintendent Dr. Cathy Bryce said. "We pledge to manage the money with the utmost care and to work closely with a community-based bond oversight committee to ensure that the projects are completed in accordance with community expectations."

 

Bryce said she was thrilled by the margin of victory.

 

"The voting numbers speak volumes about this incredible community and its support for its public schools. This community never ceases to amaze me."

 

HPISD School Board President Jeff Barnes called the results "a tremendous vote of confidence from our community."

 

He lauded the Facilities Committee and the Community Bond Committee, both of which were made up of community members.

 

"We are so grateful to these leaders for their excellent work," Barnes said. "The Facilities Committee laid the groundwork for a successful bond issue by touring the campuses and studying the details of each building's maintenance history and projected needs. They also spent considerable time holding public forums and listening to feedback from parents and other taxpayers. In the end, they brought a very solid proposal to the school board, which we, in turn, put to a public vote.

 

"Then the Community Bond Committee picked up the ball and put together a phenomenal campaign," he said. "They put up yard signs, distributed letters and reminder cards and ran a very effective e-mail campaign advocating for the bond. There is no doubt that their work led to increased voter awareness and turnout. We thank each and every one of these workers, and each voter who went to the polls and supported our schools."

 
A special thanks to the members of the two committees:

 

Facilities Committee

  • Joel Williams, chair
  • Margie Bankhead      
  • Michelle Cox       
  • Layne Deutscher       
  • Tanya Foster      
  • Bill Goodwin
  • Judy Hinson      
  • Jim Hitzelberger  
  • Margaret Keliher
  • Olin Lane
  • Michael Lewis
  • Mike Maberry
  • Chris Popolo
  • Randy Reid
  • Jim Roberts
  • Paul Rowsey
  • Brad Schwall
  • Jon Skidmore
  • Lisa Stewart  
  • Bobby Womble

Community Bond Committee

  • Roy Coffee, honorary chair
  • Jack Hammack, honorary chair
  • Cordelia Boone, co-chair
  • Margo Goodwin, co-chair
  • Connie O'Neill, co-chair
  • Tom Youngblood, treasurer

The bond issue includes:

  • $35.7 million: Capacity (replacement of portable buildings with classrooms in main buildings / additional classrooms / renovations)
  • $11.7 million: Life cycle (heating, ventilation, air conditioning [HVAC] / roofing / plumbing / electrical systems near end of life through 2012)
  • $9.6 million: Architectural fees, engineering fees, furniture, 5 percent contingency
  • $8 million: Immediate maintenance (HVAC / roofing / plumbing / electrical systems needing repairs and improvements immediately)
  • $3.6 million: Safety improvements, including renovations at all campuses to ensure secure check-in areas at all main entrances
  • $3.1 million: Technology (upgrade / replace network infrastructure, data storage & disaster recovery system)
  • $1.4 million: Improvements to two practice fields, construction of parking lot
  • $1.25 million: Toward land purchase behind HPHS parking garage
  • $1.1 million: Code compliance
Copyright (c) 2008 Highland Park Independent School District, All rights reserved.