Longview ISD seeks $456M bond this year after two failed attempts

Averie Klonowski
·2 min read

LONGVIEW, Texas (KETK) – More than a dozen East Texas school districts are asking voters for millions of dollars in bond measures. Longview ISD is proposing $456 million in updates and new facilities.

Longview ISD approves $456.2 million May bond election

After two failed bond proposals, Longview ISD is asking for voters’ support on another multi-million-dollar measure.

“In November we asked voters to vote on two propositions, we’ve broken that into five,” Wayne Guidry, assistant superintendent of finance, said.

Proposition A, with a price tag of $237 million, would go mostly toward high school renovations, CTE building expansion and security upgrades across all 13 campuses.

“Proposition B, is a new early learning center, proposition C, D, and E are just addressing our athletic facilities it’s been about 35 years since we’ve addressed the majority of those facilities,” Guidry said.

The Longview Political Action Committee, which includes community members and mostly parents is pushing for the bond. Informing homeowners about the tax impact.

“That it’s 10 dollars a year increase on your taxes for every 200,000 dollar evaluation on your home,” Karen Haas, Longview PAC, said.

$3.25 million in grants to Longview ISD to upgrade magnet schools

But for renters and other homeowners, the district said they won’t be impacted at all.

“Ages 65 and older with homestead exemption or disability, their taxes are frozen, it won’t impact their taxes,” Guidry said.

The district is hoping that this third time is the charm.

“The need still exists, we still have teachers without classrooms, we still have air conditioners you know that are on the verge of breaking down, that’s why we’re doing this for the third time,” Guidry said.

The last time Longview residents approved a district bond was in 2008.

“A strong public school system supports a strong community, we’re just so grateful for the support and we want to encourage everybody to cast your vote,” Haas said.

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