The Sunnyvale ISD Board of Trustees unanimously voted to call for a November 2024 bond election for several new facilities at a called board meeting last night.
If approved by Sunnyvale voters, the $95.7 million bond package, which will be presented as three propositions, will include district-wide safety and security upgrades, maintenance updates and renovations across the district, academic and Career and Technical Education classroom enhancements and athletic expansions that will allow for greater athletic safety for our Raiders.
“It’s been seven years since our last bond election. It’s time to ensure our facilities are up-to-date and meeting the goals of our community,” SISD Board of Trustees President Brad Cravens said. “We’re grateful to the long-range facilities and finance team who spent months gathering demographic data, finance information and thoroughly researching the facility assessments."
Among the proposed additions to SISD’s facilities is a District Multipurpose Student Activity Center. The center would be accessible to all students in SISD year-round for a variety of purposes, including athletics, Special Olympics, SES and SIS Field Day, Fine Arts and classroom activities like STEM lessons.
UIL’s new Wet Bulb Globe Temperature mandate, which was recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine promotes student safety during excessive heat. According to the UIL website, “WBGT estimates the effect of temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation using a combination of temperatures from three thermometers.” According to the mandate, students who practice or rehearse outside must move inside when the WBGT temperature reaches a certain point.
The Long-term Facilities and Finance Planning Team, comprised of Sunnyvale community members, teachers, administrators and local business representatives spent over a year considering the facility goals for SISD. The team evaluated and assessed the district’s demographic reports from Templeton Demographics and information from the district’s financial advisors. The team presented its findings to the Board of Trustees on July 30. The team began evaluating the district’s long-term initiatives in 2003, when SISD and the town began evaluating the plan for a high school.
“As our town has grown, Sunnyvale has always taken a very intentional and practical stance when it comes to its school facilities,” Superintendent Matt Kimball said. “It’s our job to do what’s best for our Raiders, while being mindful of our community’s needs, as well.”
Funding for the proposed facility would result in a tax rate increase of $.03, or about $12.50 per month for a taxpayer with a $600,000 home.
Sunnyvale ISD residents will have the opportunity to vote on the bond referendum beginning with early voting on October 21, which lasts until November 1 and then on Election Day, November 5, 2024.
To register to vote, please visit: https://vrapp.sos.state.tx.us/index.asp
For more information, please contact Sunnyvale ISD: at emily.white@sunnyvaleisd.com or visit SunnyvaleISDbond.com
