Tarkington ISD seeking $59 million bond
TARKINGTON — School leaders are looking to upgrade campus facilities on the prairie, and they will ask voters to endorse a $59 million bond this May.
School Trustees called the special election on Feb. 12, and it will be the first time voters have gone to the polls for a bond referendum in 21 years.
According to a press release issued by TISD, the bond was the recommendation of the Future Forward Committee, representing a cross-section of the TISD community, including district residents, civic and business leaders, parents and school staff.
The district drafted plans for the bond after the committee studied facility assessments, demographics, enrollment projections, district financial information and toured campuses in TISD.
Highlighting the bond is a new elementary school campus that will allow the district to expand and house more students as the area grows. The current campus will remain in use, but it was built in 1971 and needs improvements.
If passed, the bond would fund upgrades across the district, focusing on all campuses’ electrical, roofing and HVAC improvements.
At Tarkington Middle School, built in 1974, there will be updates to the band hall, kitchen and serving areas with increased dining capacity, a renovated auditorium and security upgrades, and an ADA-compliant entrance.
At Tarkington High School, a Career and Technology Education wing would be added, and a culinary arts lab, robotics lab, and flex classroom would be housed. There would also be additions to the Ag and band hall facilities and science lab upgrades.
According to information provided by the district, the average valued homestead will see a financial impact of approximately $16.56 per month. The bond will not impact anyone 65 and older who has applied for the exemption.
Anyone with an appraised value of $100,000 or less will not be impacted.
Early voting for the upcoming bond election will begin Monday, April 22 and election day is set for Saturday, May 4.
For more information on the bond referendum, can visit tarkingtonisd.net/bond-2024.