Passing a bond proposal; know your community

Passing a bond proposal; know your community Image

• Passing a bond proposal

Jack Welch Thu, 05/23/2024 - 15:32 Subhead | From the Bleachers Body

This is the time of year; college coaches are out on the road looking at high school football programs for future prospects. While searching for prospects, I have seen many districts trying to pass bond proposals. I’m happy for the coaches and students where their proposals passed and heartbroken for the ones where it failed.

Why do some bond elections fail and others pass? I am not a scholar in this area so I did some research. Texas Association of School Boards said two of the main reasons school bond elections fail is because of trust and a lack of understanding. The district needs to provide transparent information and know what their community will support. Additionally, it is important to be positive and minimize negative publicity.

In central Texas; Elgin (which passed a bond just two years ago), Georgetown, La Vega, Godly, Temple, and McGregor ISD’s passed their bond proposals, while Connally, Lorena, Copperas Cove, and Axtell ISD’s bonds failed. At least three other North Texas school districts saw one or all of its bond proposals rejected by voters. This is not a full list.

It appears bonds including major athletic facilities had a tough go. Granbury, Argyle, and Mansfield ISD’s voters rejected proposals to build new facilities, including athletic complexes. In Argyle, about 57% of voters were against building a new baseball and softball complex. Argyle, Granbury, and Mansfield ISD’s had at least one failed proposal, several of which involved athletic facilities, while Whitesboro ISD’s bond passed.

There are some main components necessary to pass a bond. Bond committees should select projects appropriate for the district. Know your community and understand what they will support. Administration must be transparent about the process and the community must be educated about what is on the bond proposal, with nothing hidden.

What makes the difference? In many of these elections, filled with opposition, different aspects of the elections are attacked by citizens. One of these areas is athletics. Many of these failed bond proposals had athletic facility upgrades included.

Athletic facilities are needed to supply students with adequate and equitable opportunities to compete with other schools. I think most people understand and support this concept. Each community is different though, and district administrators need to poll community members on what they will vote in favor of. Thorough explanation of the needs and requirements helps buffer these feelings.

Voting changes people. It causes different emotions and brings out a person’s identity. It demonstrates their belief structure and what they think is best for their fellow man. When a taxpayer knows they can build a home for half the cost per square foot as the school bond proposal shows, it creates distrust. Voters do not understand things like sprinkler systems, ADA compliance, alarm systems, and HVAC equipment.

Districts must explain why the cost is so high. School construction has risen over 50% in recent years. When voters are holding on to their wallets because of the economy, it is critical to thoroughly explain everything within the proposal.

If the community will not support athletic upgrades, then districts must find a way in their yearly budgets to take care of these needs and allow the bond proposal to fund the rest. Otherwise, all areas in the bond proposal will fail. Most importantly, minimize all negative publicity.

Thought for the week, “Voting is as much an emotional act as it is an intellectual one.” Monica Crowley Dr. Jack Welch is an educator and college football coach. His doctorate is in educational administration, and he has been an educator, administrator, and football coach, mentoring young minds, for over 40 years. He is also the author of Foundations of Coaching. He can be reached at jackwelch1975@gmail.com.