SAN ANTONIO – Voters approved multi-million dollar bonds in three school districts during Tuesday's elections.
The first, the San Antonio Independent School District bond and tax ratification has been approved.
The $450 million bond will fund the renovation of 13 schools, upgrading science and technology labs.
The bond also provides funds for teacher compensation for after-school programs and expansion of extracurricular offerings, including classroom space to meet recommended state guidelines.
“We are grateful to the voters and thank the community for taking the time to understand the needs of our students and schools,” said Pedro Martinez, SAISD Superintendent. “We will continue to partner with all of our stakeholders as we work to transform SAISD into a model urban school district.”
Also on the ballot was a tax increase. Voters approved an increase in the maintenance and operations tax rate by 13 cents. An estimated $15.6 million in tax revenue will be generated, which the state would then more than match with an estimated $16.5 million, district officials said.
Voters in the Schertz Cibolo Universal City Independent School District approved a $137 million bond referendum. With 100 percent of precincts reporting, the bond passed with almost 76.5 voting in favor of the bond. The money will go towards renovations at Samuel Clemens High School and build a replacement campus for Rose Garden Elementary School.
Renovations will also occur at Watts Elementary School, Wilder Intermediate School and Jordan Intermediate School. Technology will also be addressed with two million also be used to purchase of new school buses to accommodate student growth.
"I am so incredibly proud of our entire district," said SCUC board president Gary Inmon. "While it's always tough to ask the taxpayers for additional funds, our community has shown that it fully supports our schools and our staff has worked very hard to earn that support." He added, "This bond will certainly help us continue to be one of the best school districts in the region."
Voters in Somerset ISD also approved a $10 million bond. With 1,765 people voting for the bond and 687 voting against it.