2021 Election Information
Daily Bond Email (3 of 5)
April 14, 2021
FACEBOOK LIVE TONIGHT AT 6 PM
Join Superintendent Ryder Warren, Ed.D., School Board President Anne Davis-Simpson, Ph.D., School Board Vice President Steve Sprowls, and other NISD leaders at 6 p.m. tonight on Facebook Live for a brief presentation, followed by audience Q&A.
COMMUNITY PRESENTATION: NEIGHBORS IN NISD
Learn more about the bond proposal in this virtual meeting designed especially for neighbors who may not have children enrolled in school but still want to know about the bond.

Thursday, April 15 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Presenters: Eaton High School Principal Stacy Miles, Wilson Middle School Principal Natalie Childress, and other NISD Leaders
The Hidden Costs of School Construction
Building Schools Isn't Just About the Building
“Why does it cost so much to build a school?” 

That’s a question we hear a lot. And as builders close in on a record year constructing new homes, we understand that taxpayers may be looking at the cost of bond projects with a critical eye. It’s easy to consider the cost of building a new home — the average new home price in Northwest ISD was $352,147 in 2020 — and wonder why a new school could cost $42 million. 

That comparison just doesn’t add up, according to Tim McClure, assistant superintendent for facilities.

“There are so many layers involved in planning and constructing schools,” he said. “These buildings will serve our community for decades to come. That’s not something we take lightly.”

As public buildings, schools are subject to more stringent requirements and laws than home construction projects. For example, schools in our area are now required by law to include a dedicated storm shelter that can operate independently from the rest of the building for at least two hours with water, electricity and working bathrooms. 

In addition, schools have to perform at a standard that meets the energy code requirements, which means better insulated schools with more efficient operating systems.
Planning for the Future with Lifecycle Replacements
With total enrollment currently exceeding 25,500 students — and an additional 1,200 students expected to enroll next year — Northwest ISD is one of the fastest growing school districts in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

That growth is expected to continue, so keeping our buildings — 19 elementary schools, six middle schools, three comprehensive high schools and one accelerated high school — in appropriate and safe working order is a top priority for the district.
Proposition A: School Facilities and Capital Improvements
Elementary Campus Comparison

Take a look at some of the learning environments available in our elementary campuses, and how the environments are updated when new schools are built.

Proposition A includes two new elementary campuses and replacement campuses for Hatfield and Seven Hills elementary schools.
Lifecycle Replacements

Infrastructure replacement projects for items that have reached the end of their usable life are also included in Proposition A.

Replacements are intended to improve efficiency, save NISD maintenance and operations costs, and create a better building environment for students and staff.
Secondary Campus Comparison

Explore some of the learning environments available in our secondary campuses, and how the environments are updated as schools are built or renovated.

Proposition A includes a new middle school, a replacement building for Pike Middle School and additions and renovations at Northwest High School.
Technology Infrastructure

Go behind the scenes in the Northwest ISD network operating center, which provides connectivity to all NISD campuses, and get a look at the technology infrastructure projects included in Proposition A.
Safety and Security

Learn more about Safety and Security projects included in Proposition A, including cameras, access control and adding a standardized PA and security notification system to all facilities.
Proposition B: Stadium Renovations
Go behind the scenes of Texan Stadium, the 70-year-old athletic facility which serves as NISD’s track and field complex, hosts sub-varsity and middle school football and soccer games, and is used by youth sports organizations.

Proposition B includes end-of-life renovations for Texan Stadium, including:

  • Replace home and visitor bleachers, press box and fencing
  • New and renovated ticket booths
  • Replace turf and resurface the track
  • Provide two new shot put and discus locations 
  • Replace lighting at end of lifecycle to retrofit to LED lighting
Proposition C: Middle School Recreational Facilities
According to a new state law, bonds for the construction, acquisition, or equipment of another recreational facility other than a gymnasium, playground, or play area must be stated in a separate proposition.

Proposition C includes the tennis courts, athletic field and track for Middle School #7 (school building included in Proposition A), resurfacing tennis courts that have reached the end of their useful life at four middle schools, and adding tennis courts at Medlin Middle School.

Proposition D: Technology Devices
If approved, Proposition D would fund new devices for new students and teachers as the district's enrollment grows, as well as replacement devices when laptops and Chromebooks reach the end of their useful life.
Frequently Asked Questions
HOW CAN BOND FUNDS BE USED?

Bond funds can be used to pay for new buildings, additions and renovations to existing facilities, land acquisition, technology infrastructure, and equipment for new or existing buildings.

Bonds cannot be used for salaries or operating costs, such as utility bills, supplies, building maintenance, fuel and insurance.
IS THIS THE SAME PROPOSAL FROM THE NOVEMBER 2020 ELECTION?

Following the November 2020 election, NISD worked to seek feedback from the community and reevaluate the bond proposal to present to voters. The Long Range Planning Committee, a 20-year standing citizens group who formed the recommendations for the bond, was reconvened to help the district determine next steps.

After studying results from a post-election survey and stakeholder feedback meeting and reprioritizing projects through a series of meetings, the LRPC recommended the Board of Trustees call for a bond election for May 1 consisting of four propositions totaling $745.7 million, an approximately $240 million reduction from the November ballot.
WHY ARE THERE MULTIPLE PROPOSITIONS ON THE BALLOT?

NISD is complying with a new state law that requires certain project types like stadium-related projects and technology devices to be separated out on different propositions.
DO SOME PROJECTS SPAN MULTIPLE PROPOSITIONS?

Yes. Proposition A includes the construction of the school building for Middle School #7, but Proposition C includes the athletic facilities for the campus, including tennis courts, athletic field and track, which are standard to middle school campuses.
Should Proposition A pass and Proposition C fail, this new middle school will be constructed without these facilities, making it inequitable to all other Northwest ISD middle schools.
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