Klein ISD moves forward with $647 million bond election
Klein ISD's board has approved the $647 million bond proposal that includes razing and rebuilding Klein High School:
If approved by voters, the $646.9 million bond issue would address district needs in five areas.
The bulk of the bond package, $345.9 million, would go toward the construction of three new elementary schools, one early childhood/pre-kindergarten center, two intermediate schools and one high school on Spring-Cypress Road; the purchase of four sites for new schools; the construction of a 700-seat classroom addition at Klein Oak and a 500-seat addition at Klein Collins high schools; the construction of a multi-purpose center, which would be used as an agricultural center and for staff development purposes; an addition to the Klein Instructional Center; the construction of transportable buildings; the addition of a south transportation center; and the purchase of new buses.
About $256.7 million will go toward campus renovation projects including the estimated $130 million Klein High School reconstruction project.
Several buildings will be demolished and rebuilt at that site, while the fine arts, choir, pavilion, and natatorium buildings remain intact. The funding will also go toward the reconstruction of the Klein Annex next to the Klein High School campus; upgrades and renovations to campus athletic facilities, including Klein Forest High School; and repairs and upgrades the heating, ventilation and air conditioning, plumbing, roofing, electrical systems, lighting and flooring at several campuses.
The $38.2 million designated for technology will fund new equipment to accommodate increased enrollment and student access to technology, equipment needed to continue the district's technology baseline standard initiative and the replacement of outdated technology equipment.
Another $6.1 million will purchase new security cameras, replace outdated security equipment and install fire alarms in district facilities.
Only about half the bond money will go toward new schools -- the most critical need for Klein ISD right now.
Also, the ill-advised "laptops for all high school students" lives on. Parents need to be allowed to opt out if they will be responsible for repair and/or replacement costs.
And while many local school districts have programs that allow parents online access to their children's attendance and grades, Klein ISD does not. Cy-Fair ISD, Tomball ISD, Humble ISD, Spring ISD all have this capability, but Klein has not invested in this technology. Instead, Klein parents must wait for progress reports and report cards to come home to find out how students are doing. This becomes especially problematic as students enter high school and start planning for college. This type of program would be a much better use of technology dollars than laptops for all high school students.
Now the district will put all its effort into getting out a YES vote; the bond referendum will be on May 10.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 03/09/08 04:22 PM | Print |
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