Royal ISD trustees place $144 million bond issue on May election ballot

By George Slaughter, News Editor
Posted 1/19/23

With minimal discussion and no debate, Royal ISD trustees Tuesday approved the placement of a $144 million bond issue on the May general election ballot.

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Royal ISD trustees place $144 million bond issue on May election ballot

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With minimal discussion and no debate, Royal ISD trustees Tuesday approved the placement of a $144 million bond issue on the May general election ballot.

Six of the seven trustees voted for placing the bond. The remaining trustee, Melissa Woods, was not at the meeting.

A district-appointed facilities advisory committee worked last fall to develop a 37-item list of potential projects, ultimately accepting 36 items for board consideration. The only item rejected was a $5.25 million land acquisition, which would have been used for two elementary schools.

At Tuesday’s meeting, the only question posed was whether the bond, if approved by voters, would necessitate a property tax increase. District officials have said throughout the bond package preparations that no tax increase was expected.

The 36 projects are split into five categories: safety and security, new construction, athletics, existing facilities and technology.

Quotatious Dunn works for the district’s transportation department and served on the facilities advisory committee. She also serves on the city’s Economic Development Board. She was one of several committee members at Tuesday’s meeting and said she was excited to see the package go on the ballot.

“This is the third committee I’ve been on,” Dunn said. “That was the easy part (getting the package on the ballot). Now we have to sell it to the public.”

There is a growing population to consider the measure. Several residential developments are being developed in the district. Officials said the district expects to grow by about 22,000 homes in the next few years, with the student population expected to grow by about 13,000.

The last Royal ISD bond issue, in November 2021, failed. Dunn said while Brookshire is not growing as fast as Katy, Brookshire is still growing by “leaps and bounds.” She felt the growth in the area has helped people see the importance of the bond this time.

“I’m praying they get out and get this thing passed,” Dunn said. “I’m hoping they see the importance of this bond.”

Royal lISD, bond, Royal ISD Board of Trustees