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SULPHUR SPRINGS, Texas (KLTV) - Voters in Sulphur Springs will soon cast their ballots on the school district’s proposed $157 million bond package.

If passed, the bond will fund the construction of two brand-new elementary schools and the renovation of three existing ones.

Barbara Bush Primary would be renovated to serve K-5, the Douglas School would now serve pre-k students, and Bowie Primary would be converted into office space for special programs staff.

Johnson, Travis, and Sulphur Springs Elementary would be all be retired.

“Its time that our children are able to go to school in some updated, up-to-date newer facilities,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Deana Steeber. “The oldest building that we would be replacing is 70 years old, so there is just some deterioration and things that come like that with buildings of this age.”

The district has not passed a successful bond since 2009. Two attempts failed in 2022. If passed, the district says the average Sulphur Springs resident would see an increase of $1.47 in property taxes a year.

The proposed projects would affect half of the district’s student population, around 2,000 students. Steeber says new and renovated schools are needed after a multitude of utilities issues the district has experienced.

“We had at one of our primary campuses a sewer line collapse underneath the building early in the fall, and we had to bring in portable restrooms for about 30 days,” said Steeber.

Crickets have also been an issue at several campuses this school year. Electrical and gas line issues have also caused closures on elementary campuses.

Early voting begins April 22 and runs through the 30th. Election day is May 4. The district will be holding a final town hall on the project tomorrow evening, Thursday the 18th, at Sulphur Springs Elementary at 6 p.m.

Sulphur Springs ISD Superintendent Dr. Deana Steeber discusses the district’s $157 million proposed bond package.