I'm voting FOR the SISD Bond: Here's Why

A healthy human body tends toward homeostasis - that incredible process by which interdependent systems adjust to all manner of external threats and conditions to ensure that life continues. When one system fails - say, your immune system - the body begins to fail.

Communities are like bodies. We have to nurture and care for all its individual parts for the whole to thrive. Our schools are Seguin’s nervous system, the brain and spine that power economic development, arts and culture, infrastructure - our quality of life.

Homeostasis. That’s why I’m voting for Propositions A and B when early voting opens Oct. 24, and why anyone who cares about the long-term, whole health of our community will too.

Here’s more about the Seguin ISD 2022 Bond and how you can help improve the overall quality of life in Seguin with your vote:

What is a bond, anyway?

A school bond is kind of like a home mortgage. It’s a contract to repay borrowed money with a long-term interest rate over time. Bonds are sold by a school district to competing lenders to raise funds to pay for the costs of construction, renovations and equipment. It’s just about the only way for school districts in Texas to fund major renovations and purchases, as operating budgets are used to make payroll, buy supplies and fund daily operations.

Why should I support the 2022 bond?

Three years ago, our district began the hard work of catching up after decades of falling behind in maintenance and repairs. We must continue our forward progress, particularly because Seguin is experiencing significant growth. More than 13,500 homes are slated to be built in our area, and more than 20 neighborhoods. As our community continues to grow, we must keep up so that our students, faculty and staff have the greatest opportunity to succeed. A vote for the bond is an investment in one of the city’s largest employers. What’s more, these new projects create new job opportunities.

What’s In the $138.5M School Bond

There are two Propositions - A and B - which need to be voted for separately, and will appear separately on the ballot.

Proposition A

• School Safety and Security

Campus perimeter fencing, cameras and monitoring equipment, access control and weapon detection devices. Parking and traffic flow at Barnes Middle School is included in the safety initiative. $15,000,000

• Construction of a new McQueeney Elementary School

The current McQueeney Elementary is one of the district’s oldest campuses. Due to the age of the facility, many of the spaces are not in compliance with current TEA recommendations for curriculum and classroom space. The buildings are made up of separate wings that require outdoor access. Due to the shape of the property, the parking and pick up and drop off areas are tight and often cause traffic backups on FM 725. $54,000,000

• Additions and renovations at Barnes Middle School

Increased classroom capacity is proposed at Barnes Middle School to keep up with enrollment projections. If approved, additions will be made to a classroom wing, cafeteria, fine arts space and library. $24,300,000

• Agricultural Science Facility

Presently, Seguin ISD does not have a facility where current or prospective agriculture program students can house animals for show. The proposed facility would provide space for instruction related to animal care and include pens, shade structure and animal feed storage for ag students. $8,975,000

• Transportation Facility Expansion

Seguin ISD encompasses 365 square miles. Eighty-nine buses are driven approximately 2,430 bus route miles on the average school day. As the district grows, the additional space can be used to service and clean the bus fleet. $3,807,000

• Land Purchase New property to serve as the future site for a third middle school.

$2,000,000

• Various campus projects

• Roof replacements $9,468,000

• Furniture: $7,500,000

• Plumbing and HVAC $3,000,000

• Buses (18-20) $2,500,000

• Technology Infrastructure $450,000

Proposition B

• Baseball and Softball Complex

Matador baseball doesn’t currently have a home on campus. The teams play home games at Smokey Joe Field at the Seguin fairgrounds. By pairing a new baseball field with a new softball field at Seguin High School, both sports could share common facilities at the complex, such as the ticket booth, restrooms and concession. $7,500,000

What Will the Bond Cost Taxpayers?

Homeowners with the “Over-65 Home Exemption” will see no change. The anticipated tax rate will increase 2 cents per $100 home valuation. As an example, a home in the district valued at $300,000 would see an increase of $60 a year. One upside of the extreme growth in our area is that homeowners might see no increase as more and more homeowners join the tax rolls.

When does voting begin?

Early voting begins Monday, October 24, 2022 and ends on

Friday, November 4, 2022. Early voting locations include:

• Seguin Elections Office

• Seguin ISD Administration Building

• Cibolo Fire Station #2

• Central Texas Technology Center

• Redemptive Grace Ministries

• New Berlin City Hall

• Schertz Elections Office Annex

Election day is November 8 from 7 am to 7 pm and there are many polling places. Visit the Seguin ISD website or the Guadalupe County Elections Office website for more information. •