Gainesville ISD Trustees Call Bond Election to Provide District-Wide Lifecycle Upgrades, Safety and Security Improvements, and Additional Learning Spaces for Student Growth 

At tonight’s school board meeting, Gainesville ISD trustees voted to call a bond election that will be on the November 7 ballot. Registered voters residing within the Gainesville ISD boundaries will be asked to vote on two propositions that would generate funding for district-wide lifecycle upgrades, safety and security improvements, and additional learning spaces for student growth.

Gainesville ISD trustees also set the district’s tax rate at $0.8736 per $100 of property valuation at the meeting — an unprecedented 15¢ decrease from last year’s rate of $1.0229. Proposition A of the November 2023 bond proposal would increase the interest and sinking tax rate by 23.25¢ per $100 of property valuation. Proposition B would increase the interest and sinking tax rate by 9¢ per $100 of property valuation. If both propositions pass, the GISD tax rate would be 17.32¢ higher than it was last year. The GISD total tax rate is the lowest it’s been in 18 years.

“We are so grateful to all of the citizens who spent so much time and dedication studying our facilities and finances to build this recommendation,” said Corey Hardin, president of the Board of Trustees.

Gainesville ISD community members took a deep dive into the aging conditions, district finances, and toured several schools to help develop and prioritize the list of projects that are included in the 2023 bond. 

“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, it means so much that our residents worked together on a facility plan that is fiscally sound and will update educational and support spaces across our school district. It’s our hope that residents will take the time to learn more about the committee’s work, the projects proposed, our tax rates, ballot language, and ask questions before casting their vote in this election.”

The budget for Proposition A is $68,760,000:

SAFETY AND SECURITY ($19,660,000 — 29% of Prop A)

• Secured vestibule at GJHS

• Security upgrades at GHS 

• Door locks and access controls

• Security fencing

• Fire alarm and PA system addition at GJHS, GIS, Chalmers

• Fire sprinkler addition at GJHS

• Parking lot repairs and additions at GJHS

• Glazing and abatement at GJHS

• Enclosure of F-Hall at GJHS
  
  

ADDRESSING STUDENT GROWTH ($35,900,000 — 52% of Prop A)

• Cafeteria addition at GJHS

• 250-student classroom addition at GIS & Chalmers

• Cafeteria expansion at GIS & Chalmers

• Library expansion at GIS & Chalmers

• Storm shelter at GIS & Chalmers
  
  

DISTRICT-WIDE LIFE CYCLE UPGRADES ($13,200,000 — 19% of Prop A)

• Roofing

• HVAC

• Mechanical systems 

• Electrical switch gears and panels

• Plumbing

The budget for Proposition B is $25,000,000.

AUDITORIUM AT GAINESVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

• 600-seat auditorium

• Foyer

• Stage

• Restrooms

• Dressing rooms

• Ticketing booth

• Elevator

• Shop & storage

• Electrical, mechanical, custodial spaces

Any Gainesville ISD resident who is registered to vote may cast a ballot in this election. Voters will be asked to vote “for” or “against” the bond propositions. 

Voters will have from Oct. 23 to Nov. 3 to cast ballots during early voting, or they can cast ballots on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 7. The last day to register to vote in time to participate in this election is Oct. 10. New residents are encouraged to check their voter registration to ensure their current address is on file. Only registered voters who reside within Gainesville ISD boundaries are eligible to vote in the November 2023 bond election.

Gainesville ISD officials will schedule informational meetings to share details and answer questions.  As soon as those meetings are finalized, information will be shared through the district’s regular communication channels. In the meantime, residents are encouraged to visit www.gainesvilleisdbond.com for more information.