Voters in the Fort Worth Independent School District approved two propositions during voting on Tuesday, Nov. 7.
Proposition A, which authorizes the Fort Worth Independent School District to move 2 cents of its tax revenue from debt service to maintenance and operations and Proposition B, a $750 million bond program for construction, instruction and infrastructure repairs and improvements.
With 144 of 148 precincts reporting, Proposition A passed 74 percent to 36 percent. Proposition B passed 78 percent to 22 percent.
In a statement, Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Kent P. Scribner said plans are well underway to get a “jack rabbit” start on projects approved by voters.
“Thank you, voters, for your support of the Fort Worth ISD and of your confidence in our mission – to prepare all students for success in college, career, and community leadership,” he said.
The voter-approved Bond Program will provide just over $750 million for capital improvement projects across the district. The accompanying “Penny Swap” election, also approved by voters, will afford the district an additional $23 million annually for life-cycle, maintenance and other items.
At the next regularly scheduled board meeting trustees will consider several items involved with the employment of a project manager, the hiring of architects and engineers.
“For more than a year we worked to prepare the Penny Swap and Bond elections and we are grateful to everyone who was part of that process,” Scribner said. “The board and I are resolved that this will be the most successful Capital Improvement Program in the history of our community.”
Additional steps that will be forthcoming will be the naming of a Citizens Oversight Committee by the Board of Education.
In the nearby Aledo Independent School District, the two propositions failed. Proposition A sought to build a new middle school and repurpose another school, while Proposition B and for land purchase and additions to agriculture education.