Based on complete but unofficial returns, voters in Spring Branch ISD approved an $898.4 million bond referendum with 80 percent voting approval. With 46 of 46 precincts reporting, Harris County’s unofficial returns show 12,185 total ballots cast, with 9,599 district residents voting for the referendum and 2,459 voting against it.
“We’re very grateful. It’s a significant win for the kids and for our community. I’m humbled by the margin of victory,” said SBISD Superintendent Scott Muri, Ed.D., in special remarks to the Houston Chronicle newspaper.
Bond approval will allow SBISD to begin design and planning for replacement of nine elementary schools and Landrum Middle School; construction of new classroom buildings at Memorial and Northbrook high schools and a classroom wing at Cedar Brook Elementary; replacement of the Stratford High auditorium; and renovation of Spring Woods High’s cafeteria and library. Other 2017 Bond initiatives will upgrade safety and security, building systems and technology at all campuses.
In addition, bond funds will be used to replace older district buses, install four high school synthetic turf fields, replace aged musical instruments and uniforms, and also replace Career & Technical Education classroom equipment.
Visit www.springbranchisd.com/bond2017 for more details.
The Board of Trustees and district leaders are moving forward with the previously announced Nov. 7 Bond election. The Spring Branch ISD Board of Trustees called an $898.4 million bond election on August 21, 2017. The bond will appear on the November 7, 2017 ballot.
“We called this bond election based on approximately $1.4 billion in identified needs and after almost two years of assessment and study,” said Spring Branch ISD President Karen Peck. “Our financial advisors have advised us that even after Hurricane Harvey, we can sustain the proposed bond program without a tax rate increase.
The proposal only authorizes the school district to sell bonds; it does not compel a timeline for the issuance of bonds. We retain the flexibility to manage the timeline in a manner that works best for this community over time in light of the challenges presented by Hurricane Harvey.”
Financial and bond advisors told Trustees during a Sept. 18 workshop that while Harvey has created hardships, history shows that SBISD property values have remained strong over time, including after other hurricanes and floods. After Harvey, conservative financial models continue to support a bond package with no expected tax rate increase, as well as one with flexibility in project timing and scheduling.
The Board and Superintendent Dr. Scott Muri discussed at length how to move forward in Harvey’s aftermath. Should the bond pass, SBISD may consider modifying the bond program schedule to ensure the original proposal. “We are committed to implementing the bond program so that the tax rate will not increase if voters approve our bond election on November 7,” Dr. Muri said.
Trustee Pam Goodson expressed the Board’s concern for all who were impacted by Hurricane Harvey, then reinforced Dr. Muri’s message. “Harvey put us all on our heels, but as Trustees we have to consider the long-term health and effectiveness of our schools, which is why this Board unanimously voted to have this bond election,” Goodson said. “Needs have not changed. We have to move forward with our long-range plan, but we can do that carefully and with sensitivity to the recovery efforts occurring throughout our community.”
The bond proposal includes rebuilding nine of the district’s oldest elementary schools as well as Landrum Middle School, constructing a new, multi-story Memorial High classroom building, replacing the auditorium at Stratford High, renovating the library/cafeteria at Spring Woods High, building a flexible new classroom wing at Northbrook High, upgrading safety and security, major systems and technology district-wide, and replacing the district’s oldest buses. The bond would also fund Career and Technical Education classroom equipment upgrades, new band/orchestra instruments and uniforms at all secondary schools, and athletics upgrades.
“The physical condition, safety, security, and flexibility of our facilities to accommodate evolving programs all impact the quality of education students receive in Spring Branch ISD,” Board President Peck said. “This bond will touch the lives of our youngest by rebuilding elementary schools and creating equity in facilities across SBISD. We are also very focused on our older students by beginning the work of rebuilding and making key improvements in our secondary schools. The Board is intent on preserving the district’s standing as a great school district, and a big part of that is making sure we have well-maintained and functional school buildings that support the outstanding educational opportunities that SBISD is known for.”
The district does not expect any tax rate increase as a result of this bond election if passed by voters. District homeowners have the third lowest school tax burden in the area. The annual SBISD tax bill on a $500,000 home is currently $5,229, compared to $5,400 in Cy-Fair ISD, $6,982 in Spring ISD, and $7,204 in Katy ISD.
By state law, there would be no tax increase for senior citizens 65 or over as a result of this bond election. The school tax rate and the amount paid are frozen when a taxpayer turns 65 years old.
Visit www.springbranchisd.com/bond2017 for more details.
While you're out shopping for coming school year, take a minute to support kids in SBISD going back to school.
Memorial City is teaming up with the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation throughout the month of August for their 2017 Back to School Book & Supply Drive benefiting economically disadvantaged children attending Spring Branch ISD.
Drop off your donation at the collection bin at Memorial City Central located at the clock tower near the Mall food court. The following school supplies are of most need: dry erase markers, washable markers, pocket folders, spiral-bound notebooks, pencils, blunt Fiskars scissors, glue sticks, facial tissue and Post It Notes.
A candidate forum for two positions on the Spring Branch ISD Board of Trustees will be held at 7 p.m. on March 30 in the Bunker Hill H-E-B Community Room.
Trustee positions for the upcoming election are Position 1, currently held by incumbent Josef D. Klam, and Position 2, which is held by incumbent Chris Gonzalez.
Klam, 43, is a pastor and is unopposed for Position 1. Klam was appointed to the seat in June of last year after the resignation of Wayne Schaper Sr.
Gonzalez, 41, who lists her occupation as director, will face Mary Curry Mettenbrink, 37, a non-profit executive, for Position 2. Gonzalez was appointed in 2011 after the resignation of Mary Grace Landrum and has twice been elected to the seat.
The League of Women Voters will moderate the forum, which is sponsored by the Spring Branch ISD Council of PTAs.
The Bunker Hill H-E-B is at 9710 Katy Freeway. The Community Room entrance is at the front of the building, facing the parking lot.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on Election Day, Saturday, May 6. Voters cast ballots at their zoned middle school.
Early voting will open on April 24 and run through May 2.
Spring Branch ISD Superintendent of Schools Scott R. Muri, Ed.D., was named as the sole recipient of a high national recognition, the 2017 Communication Technology Award for Superintendents, by a leading group of communications and public relations professionals and a partnering education technology services firm.
The annual Communication Technology Award for Superintendents recognizes an education leader working in a K-12 system, or in a closely related function, who is “redefining, upgrading and integrating cutting-edge community technology to improve and expand outreach and engagements with education stakeholders – both internal and external.”
“From his first week on the job as superintendent of Houston’s Spring Branch ISD,” his winning nomination states, “Dr. Scott Muri revealed himself to be a strong, collaborative partner whose creativity and avid belief in technology as a tool to engage and reach stakeholders created excitement among the Community Relations team that communication was going to be a true priority.”
The Memorial District congratulates Dr. Muri on this award.