Whenever we are weighing a significant decision or planning for the future, we actively seek out input from the community. Dozens of business partners advise our career and technical education program on the needs of local employers. At both the campus and district levels, parents and community members work with teachers and administrators to create our annual improvement plans.
In May, voters will consider whether or not to fund the construction of a new elementary and a new high school. Over the past four years, we have studied the district's facilities, held listening sessions, and worked with a committee of parents, teachers and other community members. Hundreds of community members gave input that helped shape this plan.
As I've talked with people about the upcoming bond election, they ask me questions. When would a new high school open? What will this proposal cost me as a homeowner? Where will the attendance boundaries be? What about the mascot for the new high school?
We have a lot of the answers. The proposed high school would open in 2020 with grades nine and 10. That means some of our students who are currently in fifth and sixth grade would be the first to attend the school. The bond proposal is projected to increase property taxes by 18.69 cents per $100 of assessed valuation (or $253.91 per year for the average homeowner in Belton ISD).
But not all of the questions have answers yet. It's too early to begin drawing attendance boundaries, and no decisions have been made about the mascot, colors or name of a second comprehensive high school.
However, I do know that we'll approach these important decisions like we have in the past. We'll seek out input from every part of our community including parents, students, teachers, and alumni.
If you've been here for a while, you know what that looks like. In 2012, voters approved building High Point Elementary, Chisholm Trail Elementary and North Belton Middle School. As we prepared to open those schools, we worked closely with committees of parents, teachers and community members to redraw our elementary and middle school attendance boundaries.
I'm grateful for the feedback that you've provided in the past whether that has been on our long-range facilities plan, on our career and technical education curriculum or on any number of other decisions. And I'm looking forward to your continued input as we move forward.
