G-PISD BOND ELECTION November 6, 2012 Information Guide
Información en Español Información sobre la emisión de bonos del Gregory- Portland Independent School, el dia 6 de Noviembre 20012, es disponible en Español. Para obtener información en Español, por favor llame al distrito 361-777-1091.
Citizens Facility Committee A Citizens Facility Review and Planning Committee consisting of approximately 41 members met several times over the summer to analyze the facility improvements necessary for the students in the and to assess the financial ability of the to address those capital improvements. The committee was comprised of a cross-section of the Gregory-Portland ISD community. To formulate its recommendation to the Board of Trustees, the committee listened to information provided by demographers, facility planners, financial advisors, teachers, principals, administrators and community members.
Citizens Facility Committee The committee unanimously agreed to recommend that the Board call for a bond election in the amount not to exceed $30.4 million with the proceeds from the bonds to be used to provide the following: build a new East Cliff Elementary School expand Austin Elementary School to accommodate 5th grade Provide asbestos abatement/demolition of the Pre- K/Kindergarten wing at old Austin and parts of existing East Cliff build a new Physical Education/All Sports Athletic Facility Purchase furniture and technology for new facilities
What is a school bond? In the construction of a school facility, a school district is in a position, not unlike that of a typical family, when it acquires a new home: long-term financing becomes necessary. The family shops around among money-lending institutions and then executes a note, which is payable in monthly installments, with interest, over a period of years.
WHAT WILL BE CONSTRUCTED IF THE BONDS ARE APPROVED BY THE VOTERS? New East Cliff Elementary School Grades K through 5th Approximately 80,000 Square Feet Core facilities for 600-700 Academic facilities for 600-700 Expand Austin Elementary School Add 5 th Grade Wing Approximately 7,500-9,000 Square Feet to include: 4 classrooms, 1 science lab, 2 restrooms, mechanical room, small storage room & corridor Campus Core facilities for 575 students Campus Academic facilities for 575 students Add food service line in the cafeteria
WHAT WILL BE CONSTRUCTED IF THE BONDS ARE APPROVED BY THE VOTERS? Provide asbestos abatement/demolition of the Pre- K/Kindergarten wing at old Austin Elementary and parts of existing East Cliff Elementary, once students no longer attend at that location Build a new Physical Education/All Sports Athletic Facility behind High School to replace the existing 47 year old facility at High School football stadium Purchase furniture and technology for new facilities
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE? Any registered voter whose primary residence is within the boundaries of the Gregory-Portland Independent School is eligible to vote on November 6, 2012. To become a registered voter, a voter registration card must be submitted to the San Patricio County Voter Registrar no later than 30 days prior to election day. Voter registration cards may be obtained by contacting the Gregory-Portland ISD Administration or the San Patricio County Voter Registrar s Office.
HOW WILL THE BALLOT READ? FOR or AGAINST THE ISSUANCE OF UP T0 $30,400,000 OF GREGORY-PORTLAND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT SCHOOL BUILDING BONDS FOR THE PURPOSES OF DESIGNING, CONSTRUCTING, RENOVATING, ACQUIRING, AND EQUIPPING SCHOOL FACILITIES AND THE LEVYING OF A TAX IN PAYMENT THEREOF.
WHAT IS THE TAX IMPACT TO THE HOMEOWNER? The new bonds, if approved by the voters, will require no increase in tax rate. G-PISD s debt service tax rate dropped from $0.20 per hundred dollars of value to $0.18 in tax year 2012. The has committed $5 million dollars of available funds to maintain a tax rate at this level through tax year 2019. Beginning in tax year 2020, the tax rate is estimated to drop to $0.16 per hundred until these bonds are retired in 2032. Gregory-Portland ISD historical and projected tax rates: 2011 $1.37 (M&O = $1.17 and I&S = $0.20) 2012 $1.35 (M&O = $1.17 and I&S = $0.18) 2013 $1.35 (M&O = $1.17 and I&S = $0.18)* * Includes the new bonds
WHAT IS THE TAX IMPACT TO THE HOMEOWNER? All citizens who are disabled or who will be 65 years or older by December 31, 2012 who owned their home on January 1, 2012 and submit for exemption status will have their taxes frozen at the amount paid in 2012-2013 (tax year 2012). Therefore, the taxes of these individuals will NOT increase due to the passage of the bond election.
WHAT ABOUT STATE ASSISTANCE? Last year, the State paid approximately 21% of the s annual principal and interest requirements through the Existing Debt Allotment. The current debt service tax rate is 18. The projected voted bond tax rate will continue to be 18 for the new bonds, if approved by the voters.
Frequently Asked Questions WHERE WILL THE NEW EAST CLIFF ELEMENTARY BE BUILT? The new East Cliff Elementary School will be built on the property next to Fishers of Family Church on Broadway that G-PISD already owns. WHY CAN T THE NEW EAST CLIFF ELEMENTARY BE BUILT ON THE CURRENT SITE? The current East Cliff campus is only seven acres in size which limits student loading and unloading (safety concern) and limits on-site parking that would be necessary for a 600-700 student school. To accommodate a K-5 campus of this size, the district requires a school site that is closer to 16 acres in size.
Frequently Asked Questions Cont d. WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE CURRENT EAST CLIFF ELEMENTARY CAMPUS? Once students move from the old East Cliff to the new East Cliff, parts of the old campus will be abated and demolished, and the remaining facilities such as the library, the primary wing, etc. will be converted to Central Office operations. Later, additions will be made to provide sufficient space for staff development and support operations for campus instructional programs.
Frequently Asked Questions Cont d. WHY IS THE DISTRICT MOVING THE 5TH GRADE TO THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS? Moving the 5th grade enables the to be as cost efficient as possible and match grade configuration with the state curriculum requirements now in place. The K-5 elementary configuration being recommended is the most cost efficient for construction and operation. Also, fewer campus transitions for students aids in the teaching and learning process.
Frequently Asked Questions Cont d. WHEN WILL THE 5TH GRADERS BE MOVED TO THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS? Fifth graders will be moved once the new East Cliff is opened and the 5th grade wing at Stephen F. Austin is completed. All 5th graders will transition at the same time. T. M. Clark and W.C. Andrews can already accommodate 5th graders who will go there.
Frequently Asked Questions Cont d. WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE SIXTH GRADERS WHEN THE 5TH GRADE IS MOVED TO ELEMENTARY? Sixth graders will remain at the Intermediate campus until a sixth grade facility is constructed at the Junior High, creating a school within a school and changing the Junior High to a Middle School.
Frequently Asked Questions Cont d. WILL THE EXISTING ELEMENTARY ATTENDANCE ZONES CHANGE? At present, there are no plans to rezone elementary school zone lines. Zone lines may require adjustment in the future, depending on where growth takes place in the and when the growth occurs.
Frequently Asked Questions Cont d. WHY DOES THE DISTRICT NEED A PHYSICAL EDUCATION / ALL SPORTS ATHLETIC FACILITY? The current facility was built in 1965 and requires replacing. The new facility will have adequate weight room space, classrooms, dressing rooms, coaches offices and storage and will serve all sports, male and female. The current facility does not accommodate these uses.
Early Voting Opportunities for San Patricio County Early Voting by Mail: Applications mailed to: Pamela Hill Elections Administrator PO Box 579 Sinton, TX 78387 Accepted no earlier than 09/07/12 And no later than 10/30/12 San Patricio County Permanent Branch Location/Time for Early Voting in Person San Patricio County Courthouse Oct. 22 26, 2012 8 am - 5 pm 400 West Sinton Street, 2 nd Floor Oct. 29 Nov. 2, 2012 8 am - 5 pm Sinton, Texas 78387 San Patricio County Temporary Branch Locations/Times for Early Voting in Person San Patricio County Courthouse Oct. 22-26, & 29-31 8 am - 5 pm 400 West Sinton Street, 2 nd Floor Oct. 27 9 am - 4 pm Sinton, Texas Nov. 1-2 8 am - 5 pm Gregory City Hall Oct. 27 9 am - 4 pm 204 W 4 th Street Gregory, Texas
San Patricio County Temporary Branch Locations/Times for Early Voting in Person Compton Hall Humble Community Center 704 West Yoakum 2821 Main Street Aransas Pass, Texas Ingleside, Texas Mathis City Hall Portland Community Center 411 East San Patricio Avenue 2000 Billy G Webb Mathis, Texas Portland, Texas ALL LOCATIONS ABOVE Oct. 23, 25, 30 & Nov. 1 9 am- 6 pm Oct. 27 9 am- 4 pm Odem Public Library Oct. 23 & 25 9 am- 6 pm 516 Voss Odem, Texas Kiva Hut 401 Park Taft, Texas Oct. 30 & Nov. 1 9 am- 6 pm
November 6, 2012 ELECTION DAY Election Day Polling Locations for San Patricio County Residents Precinct #106 & 115 Precinct #108 & 121 Compton Hall Portland Community Center 704 Yoakum 2000 Billy G Webb Aransas Pass, Texas Portland, Texas Precinct #114 Precinct #110 Humble Community Center Kiva Hut 2821 Main Street 401 Park Street Ingleside, Texas Taft, Texas Precinct #116 & 119 Precinct #112 St. Christopher s Episcopal Church Taft Housing Authority 720 7 th Street 223 Avenue C Portland, Texas Taft, Texas Precinct #113 Gregory City Hall ELECTION DAY POLLING LOCATIONS OPEN 206 West 4 th Street 7 A.M. UNTIL 7 P.M. Gregory, Texas
For information about the Gregory-Portland Independent School, please visit our website at www.g-pisd.org call 361-777-1091.