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LONGVIEW, Texas (KLTV) - Longview ISD is planning to call a bond election at Monday’s school board meeting following two failed attempts in 2022 and 2023.

The board will consider calling the bond election for May 4 for five propositions totaling about $456.2 million.

Longview ISD Assistant Superintendent Wayne Guidry said the bonds represent what parents want for their children, as well as the passion the district’s administration has for the schools. Guidry said after the last elections failed, the district conducted community surveys to determine how to construct the next attempt. He said the upcoming election will feature five propositions, and they are working to continually improve their communication with parents in the district.

“We’re very fortunate in Longview ISD that we have very passionate board members, very passionate community members, who just refuse to take no as an answer with the last two failed elections,” Guidry said. “So, you know, they’re just out there regrouping and going out and communicating with our community, with our parents, with our staff members.”

Guidry said the district pulled the swim center and Lobo Stadium projects out of the 2023 bond election, and the two items will return for the 2024 bond election. For the swim center, they are looking to build a new facility rather than revitalize the old one, whereas the Lobo Stadium needs minor updates like resealing and concession stand upgrades.

The biggest proposition will be Prop. A, Guidry said, which includes numerous renovations and constructions. These include the high school, a new bus barn, early graduation renovations and a new CTE building. According to Guidry, the hope for the CTE building is to add enough instructional space to begin offering H-VAC courses.

Another option will be to add an early learning center as its own proposition.

Guidry said that the proposed tax burden will remain the same as the 2023 bond election: $10 a year per $200,000 of home value per taxpayer. The election will be called at the 6 p.m. board meeting on Monday.

The full text of what is being proposed can be seen below the video:

Longview ISD is planning to call a bond election at Monday’s school board meeting following two failed attempts in 2022 and 2023.

The Longview ISD Board of Trustees will consider calling a May 4 bond election for five propositions totaling about $456.2 million to fund district projects including safety and security and upgrades to current facilities during their regular meeting Monday, Feb. 12.

In accordance with state law, the bond referendum will be split into separate propositions as follows:

PROPOSITION A: $237.7 million

Address Aging Buildings
Longview High School
District-wide renovations
Energy efficiency upgrades
Early Graduation High School
Career & Technical Building
Safety and Security
New LISD Bus Barn

PROPOSITION B: $76.5 million

New Early Childhood Center
PFK renovated for new offices

PROPOSITION C: $79.1 million

Multi-Purpose Facility
Soccer/Baseball/Tennis

PROPOSITION D: $21 million

LHS/Middle School Stadium Renovations

PROPOSITION E: $41.9 million

Natatorium (Aquatics Center)

With the approval of trustees and the passage by voters, all Longview ISD campuses would receive safety and security updates, and those renovations would impact all students and staff.

It has been 16 years since the last major investment in Longview ISD. In May 2008, Longview residents approved a bond to construct new elementary school and middle school campuses. Since then, there have not been major renovations made to the facilities included in the 2024 bond proposal.

Texas school districts do not receive state funding for renovating or building new schools. Instead, they must receive funds through school bond elections. Registered voters residing within the Longview ISD boundaries will be asked to consider five bond propositions that would generate funding for safety and security updates, renovations and updates to existing facilities, a multi-purpose facility, and athletic facility renovations.

Board members will meet at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 12 at the LISD Education Support Center, 1301 E. Young St.