Waller ISD Bond Passes Making Historic Milestone with Voter Support
Waller ISD Public Information
On Tuesday, November 3, 2015, the Waller Independent School District voters approved a $71.32 million bond package that will impact the future of our students, staff, and the community we serve. A total of 3,299 voters went to the polls, with 64 percent voting ‘FOR’ the bond proposition.
The bond is dedicated to addressing the districts’ needs over the next three year period. The bond will address student growth, safety and security, transportation, technology, career and technical education, physical education and athletics, and existing facility renovations and expansions.
“With the passage of this bond, voters are supporting our students’ instructional needs. The passage of this bond election will benefit all of our students, staff, and the Waller ISD community,” said Superintendent Danny Twardowski.
The bond proposal was recommended to the Board of Trustees after a Citizens’ Planning Committee conducted an extensive review of a Waller ISD demographic study, district facility needs assessment, financial capacity, tax impact analysis, and toured district facilities. The 57-member committee consisted of parents, community members, staff, and business and civic leaders. The committee dedicated more than three months of their time to formulate a bond proposal for the Board’s consideration.
“I would like to thank the Citizens’ Planning Committee for their commitment to the Waller ISD community. I sincerely appreciate their collaborative efforts in building a bond blueprint to address our most critical needs,” said Twardowski.
The approved bond package includes:
•Districtwide security cameras and secured door access control and data storage servers
•New elementary school to replace H.T. Jones Elementary School
•Additional classrooms and new flooring at Roberts Road Elementary
•Career and Technical Education and Agriculture facility renovations and expansion at Waller High School
•Future school sites
•Portable classrooms
•District-wide new technology infrastructure
•District-wide classroom and lab computer equipment for teachers and students
•District-wide wireless access points Wi-Fi
•School buses and additional bus parking spaces
•Four lane running track and tennis court facilities at W.C. Schultz Junior High School
•Crushed concrete parking additions at the Waller ISD Stadium
•HVAC and electrical power distribution panels and control systems at W.C. Schultz Junior High School, Waller Junior High School, Waller High School, and Roberts Road Elementary
The maximum potential tax increase on the Interest and Sinking (I&S) tax rate resulting from the passage of the bond referendum is projected to be $.03. The tax rate impact equates to $25.50 per year for a home valued at $100,000.
The District is planning to provide priority to Waller ISD residents over other bond buyers. If a resident has a desire to purchase Waller ISD bonds, they should contact their broker, account representative or local bank and express their interest. The bond sales are planned to take place in February, 2015.
The District’s underlying credit rating has just been upgraded by Moody’s Investors Service to ‘Aa3’ from ‘A1’ based on a numbers of factors cited in their report, including the District’s solid finances and reserves, a manageable level of debt, and the diverse economy in the Houston area. The upgrade should result in a lower interest rate on the bonds and thus a lower borrowing cost to the District.
The District will release more information regarding the priority purchase to Waller ISD residents as it becomes available.
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