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Communities Stand up for Schools
Communities Stand up for Schools 8/17/12
CBS 7 Reporter
smurray@cbs7.com
August 17, 2012
People across the country and the state are taking action to support local schools.
Ballot News reports that school bond and tax measures are on the rise across the U.S. and they are breaking the 2011 approval ratings.
Now 2 districts in West Texas are following suit. Supporters of bond proposals in both Ector County and Midland ISDs say without much financial support from Austin, they are taking matters into their own hands
"Education is just a cornerstone in any community,” says MISD Community Group Leader and Stonegate Pastor Patrick Payton. “All facets of education, from the classroom to the building and bricks and mortar."
This week the districts approved multi-million dollar bond proposals for the November 6th ballot, both of which would expand schools, build new ones and transition to the middle school model. Supporters in both cities say there is no better time than now to invest in local schools.
"For all the problems we have we have and all the challenges we have in public education none if them are a reason not to go forward, ease over crowding and right size our campuses," says MISD Community Group leader Collin Sewell.
"Its been exciting to see the community say 'hey, this is our school district, we want to see things change, we want to see legislation change' it's not just a bond issue. That's just part of it," Payton explains.
And they are not alone, according to a report in Ballot News; Texas had the most school bond issues make the ballot from January to July with 53. 42 of them were passed.
"All over Texas cities are growing and thriving and they're having to address these education issues," Payton claims.
Now these 2 community groups have less than 3 months to prove their point to voters.
Midland ISD is proposing a $163 million bond. Ector County's vote will be on a $129 million bond.