BLACKWELL, TEXAS — The Blackwell Consolidated Independent School District Board of Trustees unanimously voted to call for a School Bond Election for November 8, 2022.
The proposal was developed by the administration and presented to the Board of Trustees as a long-term plan that included a recommendation for implementation.
“I want to thank our board, staff, and advisors for their work over the past months to help get us to this point,” Blackwell CISD Superintendent Bryan Shipman said. “This decision is based on carefully considering all areas of need around our district while being fiscally responsible and good stewards for our community. Ninety-eight percent of the bond would be funded by wind and solar farms.”
School districts in Texas do not receive state funding for renovating or building new schools. Districts, instead, must receive funds through school bond elections. The last Blackwell CISD bond passed 17 years ago. This was the first bond in the schools history and that bond package paid for a new school building.
The 2022 Bond will ask voters to consider a $14.9 million package with four propositions.
Proposition A is $9.1 million and includes:
- Safety and Security Improvements
- Renovations and Upgrades
- New Outdoor Court and Restrooms
- New Buses
- Career and Technology Education
- Energy Efficiency
If Proposition A is approved in November, the estimated impact would be a $1.18 per month increase for a home valued at $64,076 — which is the average market value for a home in BCISD.
Proposition B is $2.7 million and includes:
- Synthetic Turf at HS Football Stadium
- Track Replacement and Upgrades
- Visitor Press Box, Furniture, and Equipment
- New Tennis Courts
If Proposition B is approved in November, the estimated impact would be a $0.35 per month increase for a home valued at $64,076.
Proposition C is $2.5 million and includes:
- New Teacher Housing
If Proposition C is approved in November, the estimated impact would be a $0.32 per month increase for a home valued at $64,076.
Proposition D is $600,000 and includes:
- Classroom Technology
If Proposition D is approved in November, the estimated impact would be a $0.09 per month increase for a home valued at $64,076.
If all four propositions are passed, the estimated impact would be a $1.95 per month increase on the average home. The bond would be 98 percent funded by wind and solar farms. The actual impact would be 4 cents per month for the average homeowner in Blackwell CISD.
Homeowners age 65 and older will not be impacted by the passage of the bond propositions if they have filed for and received the Over 65 Homestead Exemption with the County Central Appraisal District. Their school district taxes will not exceed the frozen dollar amount.
In 2019, Texas Legislators passed a new law as part of House Bill 3 that requires all bond propositions for any school district to have the phrase ‘THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE’’ on all ballot language for bond propositions. Due to this requirement, all voters will see this statement in the official ballot language, even when taxes are frozen and there is no tax impact.
Early voting begins October 24 and ends November 4, and Election Day is November 8.