Clear Lake Voters To Consider $487 Million School Bond

CLEAR LAKE, TX-- Voters in Clear Creek ISD will decide whether or not to approve a $487 million school bond when they go to the polls in May.

If it is approved, the bond would increase the tax rate of $1.40 per $100 valuation, to $1.43 which will fund the construction of a new elementary school, and fund renovations that would provide expansion, and technology and security upgrades to many of the 44 existing campuses in the district.

According to the district website, Clear Creek ISD has more than 42,000 students enrolled, and is projected to grow by more than 2,100 students by 2021.

As many as 14 of the district’s 44 campuses are over instructional capacity. (For news updates on this story and other news in Clear Lake, just click here to get Patch's daily newsletter and free, real-time news alerts).

Among the more extensive renovation projects in the bond referendum include Clearview High School, which was originally built nearly 80 years ago, and League City Elementary which is more than 50 years old.

The needs of both campuses alone constitute a total rebuild of the schools.

Overall, the renovations and rebuilds are projected at $333.4 million in bond funds.

Other improvements included in the bond package address:

• Safety Improvements: replacing buses, playground equipment and security systems at a cost of $21 million.
• Student programs: science labs, athletic equipment replacement, expanding the fine arts programs at a cost of $23 million.
• Technology upgrades: replacing teacher computers and district telephone system, adding ceiling mounted projectors, upgrading network at a cost of $31.8 million.

Early voting runs from April 24-April 29, Mary 1-2, with election day on May 6.

District officials are taking steps to ensure the public is informed, and began hosting town hall meetings at various campuses on Feb. 28.

Those meetings are scheduled to be held throughout the district until April 27, with virtual meetings planned for March 23, and April 13.

To learn about upcoming town hall meetings in your area, or to learn more about the bond referendum, log onto www.ccisd.net.

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