BOND 2022 | News & Information - Gregory-Portland Independent School District

News & Information

Visual & Performing Arts Center w/ Band Hall | PROPOSITION C

Multi-Purpose Center & Fieldhouse | PROPOSITION B

TM Clark Elementary & New Baseball, Softball Fields | PROPOSITION A

Experiential Learning Additions & Renovations @ G-PHS & SFA Cafeterias | PROPOSITION A

Family Resource Center & Maintenance / Transportation Facility | PROPOSITION A

Safety and Security & Deferred Maintenance Projects | PROPOSITION A

Reimbursement Resolutions | PROPOSITION A

Introduction Video from our Superintendent

G-PISD School Board calls for $242 Million Bond Election with No Increase to the Total Tax Rate

The Gregory-Portland ISD School Board called for a School Bond to appear in three propositions on the November 8^th ballot this year including new facilities, renovations, and other items totaling $242 Million with no increase to the total tax rate. Superintendent Dr. Michelle Cavazos said the district is able to present this opportunity for voter consideration because of G-PISD’s “unique” financial position.

“Substantial, rapid industrial growth is impacting our tax base, and allowing us to consider school bonds with no increase to total tax rate for this period of time in our district,” said Cavazos. “Local industry currently funds 89 percent of our tax base – that’s 89 cents per every tax dollar being paid by corporations and businesses operating here in G-PISD.” Cavazos said the remaining 11 cents per dollar, or 11 percent of the tax base, is covered by residential contributions.

Some of those residents recently served on a Bond Stakeholder Committee, and recommended that the school board consider this bond election with projects including a Visual and Performing Arts Center for district and community use with a new G-P High School Band Hall, a replacement campus for T.M. Clark Elementary School, cafeteria renovations at S.F. Austin Elementary School, experiential learning upgrades at all elementary campuses, new baseball and softball fields, and more.

Community members Megan Axelsen, Jeanine Peoples, and John Sutton presented the committee recommendations to the board on June 13, 2022. “Each member of the committee selected which projects they were passionate about,” said Sutton, “and the diversity of the group was very good – we had parents from every school and various backgrounds, different (activity) groups represented including band, theatre, fine arts, and others. It was a collaborative effort.” Sutton also said the committee reviewed financial information, which included the district’s tax rate history, credit ratings, and current bond capacity.

“The school board could have chosen to present a school bond to the community of up to $333 Million without an increase to the total tax rate,” said Dr. Ismael Gonzalez, Assistant Superintendent of Business and Finance. “That is the highest threshold, or 100 percent, of the district’s current bond capacity with today’s financial position. The board decided, instead, to propose a bond of $242 Million which is closer to 50 percent of current bond capacity.”

School Board President Tim Flinn said the district also completed a comprehensive master facility plan throughout the 2021-22 school year, which included a thorough review of existing facilities. “We had an outside firm come and review the condition of all of our schools, buildings, and grounds,” said Flinn. “It was eye-opening for us because this firm works with school districts all across the state and nation. So we were able to see how we compared to other districts. This master plan was thoroughly reviewed before we thought about whether to ask for voter consideration of this bond election.” Flinn said the master plan was also reviewed by community members before it was presented to the board in February, and that the board included those findings among the reasons for deciding to vote unanimously (7‑0) in favor of calling a school bond election.

Cavazos said the district will be releasing information and holding community meetings to share facts about this bond election in the months ahead, and said an overview of bond propositions and voting information is posted on the district website. “You’ll also find a link to the Bond Stakeholder Committee web page with videos of their recommendation to the board and from meetings,” Cavazos said.

“G-PISD’s Master Facility Plan is listed as well, and contact information. Community informational meetings will be scheduled and held beginning in August, where we will provide information about every project listed on the ballot. We will continue to be fully transparent, and encourage anyone who has questions or wants to share their feedback to please reach out to us.”

Information is available online at www.g-pisd.org/bond, and questions can be directed to G-PISD Administration at bond@g-pisd.org or by calling 361-777-1091. ##

CLICK HERE to view and download this press release.

State Law - Required Ballot Language

DID YOU KNOW? - In 2019, the Texas Legislature passed a law which requires that all school bond ballot propositions must include the following statement: “This is a property tax increase.” Because this law now exists, regardless whether it is expected there be no increase to the total school district tax rate, all three G-PISD bond propositions will include this language.

If approved by Gregory-Portland ISD voters, homeowners will see no increase in their total tax rate as a result of this bond. G-PISD's current total tax rate is $1.2103 (per $100 valuation), and has declined in the last 15 years. (The total tax rate was $1.61 in 2007, 15 years ago.)

FAQs - Review Answers to Community Questions

Please CLICK HERE, or on the image above, to review answers to questions we've received about topics and projects for Bond 2022. Thank you!

Community Meetings | OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Join our Superintendent, Dr. Michelle Cavazos, and her leadership team as they share information and answer your questions about Bond 2022. Meeting dates and times are listed below, and locations/formats for the last three meetings will be added once determined (on or before October 5, 2022). In addition to these 'open forum' meetings for the public, G-PISD leaders are presenting bond information to various community groups and organizations. Thank you!

Friday, September 30, 2022 - Noon to 1 p.m. @ G-PISD Administration Building*
Friday, October 7, 2022 - 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. via ZOOM: www.g-pisd.org/BondMeeting
Friday, October 14, 2022 - 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. via ZOOM: www.g-pisd.org/BondMeeting
Friday, October 21, 2022 - 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. via Facebook Live @ www.facebook.com/GPISDwildcats

*The G-PISD Administration Building is located at 1200 Broadway Blvd. in Portland, Texas, next to East Cliff Elementary School.

G-PISD Bond Finance & Construction Facts

Business & Industry funds 89 percent of the tax base, or 89 cents per each tax dollar, for Gregory-Portland ISD schools.
The district's total tax rate has declined in the last four years ($1.35 - 2018; $1.26 - 2019; $1.21 - 2020 to current day).
There has been no increase to the total tax rate following voter approval of school bonds 2020, 2015, and 2012.
G-PISD maintains a Superior FIRST Financial Rating, and A / AA credit ratings for prior bonds managed as a public school district.
All construction projects for bonds 2015 and 2012 have been completed.
Bond 2020 construction has begun for the Early Childhood Center and AgriScience Facility.
Groundbreaking ceremonies will be held in the coming school year for new playgrounds at S.F. Austin and T.M. Clark Elementary Schools, and the All-Purpose Indoor Practice Facility.

BOND 2022 PROPOSITIONS

The following list of Bond 2022 propositions was approved by unanimous vote (7-0) of the G-PISD School Board on July 18, 2022. More information about each project listed will be communicated to our community via informational meetings.

Meeting opportunities are being communicated via District Updates to all G-PISD families and staff, G-P News e-newsletters for our community subscribers (click here to subscribe), via social media, this website, and more. Please stay tuned, and join us to learn more about Bond 2022.

PROPOSITION A

Rebuild T.M. Clark Elementary School - $45,492,007
G-P High School Cafeteria Additions & Renovations - $10,227,858
Stephen F. Austin Elementary Cafeteria Renovations - $2,043,905
Experiential Learning Additions at Elementary Campuses - $6,976,388
Family Resource Center, Maintenance and Transportation Facility - $24,936,331
New Baseball and Softball Turf Fields - $20,392,969
Deferred Maintenance - $2,000,000
Safety & Security - $2,000,000
All-Purpose Practice Facility - Reimbursement Resolution - $12,469,638 *
Early Childhood Center - Reimbursement Resolution - $16,442,649 *
Agricultural Science Facility - Reimbursement Resolution - $2,627,275 *

PROPOSITION B

Multi-Purpose Center & Fieldhouse - $43,391,906

PROPOSITION C

New Visual and Performing Arts Center, including Band Hall - $53,590,000

TOTAL for BOND 2022 (ALL PROPOSITIONS): $242,590,926

*Reimbursement Resolutions (projects that were, are, or will be completed with District M&O dollars but can be reimbursed with I&S (bond) funds if approved by voters). The three reimbursement resolutions listed under Proposition A are included for the reimbursement of additional costs as a result of significant inflation in the construction industry since the original budgets were established to build those facilities (during the 2019-20 school year).

VOTING INFORMATION

LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE: October 11, 2022
LAST DAY FOR BALLOT BY MAIL: October 28, 2022*
EARLY VOTING: October 24 - November 4, 2022
ELECTION DAY: November 8, 2022

*RECEIVED, not postmarked, deadline for ballot by mail.