RICHMOND, Texas (KTRK) — Lamar CISD has asked voters for billions in bonds over the last decade, and once again, they’re asking for billions more.
Lamar CISD’s administration’s grounds are filled with signs showing what’s at stake. The signs showcase how the district is asking voters to fund new schools, technology, and upgrades to its football stadium.
A $2 billion ask that’s on the minds of voters we talked to. “It’s sort of high,” Jerry May said.
“There’s no way we can’t support our schools,” Carol Edwards said. “Our area is booming.”
Lamar CISD covers many communities, including Rosenberg, Richmond, and Fulshear. Places that Census data have shown has added a lot of new people.
A recent report to the district shows potential growth in student enrollment. At Beasley Elementary, it could climb from 500 to more than 1,700 in ten years.
At Dean Leaman, the student population could go from 1,700 to 2,700. The report also shows Fulshear High School’s population could double in ten years, from about 3,000 to 6,000.
“We’re the fastest growing school district in the state of Texas,” board member Jon Welch said.
Welch said his views don’t represent the district, only himself. He said the $2 billion bond is needed because of the growth.
It’s not the first time the district’s asked for money. Since 2014, voters have approved four bonds, totaling nearly $3 billion.
“I’ll tell you this,” Welch said. “I’m very concerned about the debt.”
Welch said they don’t have another choice. He said the state allocation of funds isn’t enough to build schools to keep up with the population.
If the bond fails, he says they may have to buy more portable buildings and bus kids on long rides.
“You can only rezone so many times,” Welch explained. “You can only cut neighborhoods in half so many times, and then you still get to the point where the capacity of the building is reached.”
A Lamar Consolidated spokesperson told ABC13 if the bond fails it would look to add portable classrooms and adjust boundaries. However, they say these aren’t sustainable due to the growth.
As far as the previous bonds, the spokesperson said nearly all projects from the 2014, 2017 and 2020 bonds are done and more than half of the projects from the 2022 bond passed by voters are underway.
On its website, the district said that despite the $2 billion price tag, it wouldn’t increase taxes.
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