San Benito seeks $37 million in bonds

SAN BENITO - Anticipating an enrollment of 15,000 students in 2016, school officials here are planning for the future.

Among those plans are a new elementary school, renovations to existing schools, and a second high school by 2017.

The district has completed projects from its 2004 approved bond issue, and administrators are looking to a $37 million bond issue to address the district's continuing growth.

On Tuesday, Superintendent of Schools Antonio G. Limón presented the bond proposal to the City Commission as a courtesy. The district's board of trustees called for the bond election in February.

The bond election is set for May 10.

San Benito was successful in passing bond proposals in 1997, 1999 and 2004, district spokeswoman Celia Longoria said.

Officials said the list of needs includes a new elementary school, a 16-classroom wing for Sullivan Elementary, two 16-classroom wings at Veterans Memorial Academy and air conditioning renovations across the district, among other items.

"We want to renovate some of our older buildings not touched in the ‘04 bond," Limón said.

That year, the district had projects that were expected to cost $42 million, but with an approved bond issue of $39 million, some of the items weren't included.

Instructional Facilities Allotment funds from the state are currently available to help pay for the renovations, Limón said. The Texas Education Agency provides funding for projects based on wealth per average daily attendance. According to a news release, the district has a wealth per average daily attendance of $62,708, making it the 15th poorest district in the state.

"The money is available now," Limón said.

If the bond issue is passed, state money would pay for 84 percent of the bonds and the taxpayers would pay for 16 percent.

The bond issue would require a 7-cent tax increase, he said. Currently, taxpayers pay $1.24 for every $100 of assessed property value. If passed, residents would pay $1.31 per $100 valuation, he said.

A home valued at $28,000, which Limón said is typical here, would pay an $11 tax increase a year.

"Remember though, there was a reduction in taxes by 22-cents this year," Limón said. "Now we're asking for 7 cents of those 22 cents."

Every year district officials examine the district and discuss its future needs. Over the past year, the district has predicted it will need a new elementary school for the 2010-2011 school year, Limón said.

Administrators estimate the cost of the new school to be $11 million and expect to locate the school between Business 77 and Highway 281.

Sullivan Elementary, which was put on the backburner after the 2004 bond issue, would get a 16-classroom wing if the bond issue is approved.

The school also needs a new cafeteria. The current cafeteria will be converted to the library. The project is expected to cost $6 million.

At Veterans Memorial Academy, the district wants to construct two 16-classroom wings, which is expected to cost $8.13 million.

With the need for a new elementary school, Limón said the district is also thinking of how to adjust the high school for the enrollment growth spurt.

By 2016-1017, Limón expects the district to have 15,000 students. Currently, there are 11,000 students, he said.

During this time, the district is projecting plans to have freshmen and sophomores at VMA with juniors and seniors at the San Benito High School.

Eventually, by 2017, the district plans to make VMA a high school to be named San Benito Veterans Memorial High School, he said.

"The plans are there to get it ready to be a second high school," Limón said.

When asked for a list of the district's schools with the construction and renovation dates, school officials said the information was not readily available.

Along with additions to schools, the district has to upgrade its air conditioning systems, officials said.

If the bond issue doesn't pass the district will have to borrow $6 million to do the work. The district would have to pay for 100 percent of the work, Limón said.

Should the bond issue pass, the projects in the proposal should be completed by 2010, when the district will really need the new elementary school, officials said.

"By that time we'll be ready to go to a ninth-grade, 10th-grade campus," he added.
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FYI
For more information on the San Benito CISD bond issue, visit http://www.sbcisd.net/.