Voters in Houston have rejected a $4.4 billion bond issue aimed at renovating and upgrading schools. The vote was seen as a response to the state takeover that removed democratic control of the schools and ousted Superintendent Mike Miles.
Superintendent Mike Miles expressed disappointment in the rejection of the proposed bond, calling it “unfortunate and wrong” in a statement released on Tuesday.
The bond election was conceded by Miles after around 60% of the approximately 350,000 voters who participated in early or mail-in voting opposed both parts of the proposal, according to initial election results from the Harris County Clerkâs Office. This rejection marks a historic moment as Texas voters have never before turned down a school bond exceeding $1 billion…
The bond proposal was divided into two parts. Proposition A would have allocated $3.96 billion for school renovations, expansions, safety measures, and security infrastructure, while Proposition B would have dedicated $440 million to technology equipment, systems, and infrastructure.
HISD planned to use $2.3 billion for rebuilding and renovating 43 schools, $1 billion for lead remediation, security enhancements, and HVAC improvements, and $1.1 billion for expanding pre-K, constructing three new career and technical education centers, and upgrading technology, all without increasing taxes if the bond had passed…
The rejection of HISD’s first school bond campaign in 12 years comes after a vocal grassroots opposition effort that lasted months, urging voters to reject the bond due to the state takeover and a lack of trust in Miles and the Board of Managers.