The Bastrop ISD Board of Trustees unanimously voted Tuesday, January 17 to call a bond election for May 6, 2023. The $321,500,000 bond proposal will have no tax rate increase.

Trustees were presented with the recommendation for the bond proposal from the Citizens Advisory Task Force (CATF), represented by Bastrop Chamber of Commerce Chair Evan Moilan. The ballot will contain a single proposition to address growth. BISD’s current enrollment is approximately 12,600 students. Over the next five years, Bastrop ISD is projected to grow by 3,700 students.

Included in the bond proposal are two new elementary schools for PK-5, completion of the intermediate to middle school conversion for grades six through eight, safety and security enhancements including a new police and operations center (for police, maintenance, custodial, shipping and receiving), and additional classrooms for Colorado River Collegiate Academy and Genesis High School. The bond proposal also calls for new two-story academic wings for Bastrop High School, Cedar Creek High School,  and Mina Elementary. In addition, general renovations and improvements are planned at all other schools to address aging buildings and infrastructure.

“We are grateful to the task force for their continued commitment to our students and staff and to our board for seeing our vision for this great district,” said Superintendent Barry Edwards. “This bond proposal addresses the growth we are all experiencing in our community and represents positive forward momentum. The future is bright in Bastrop ISD, and we look forward to sharing the details of the proposal with our community and educating voters throughout the coming months.”

The CATF was formed in 2019 to examine the school district’s increasing student enrollment, district-wide facility needs, educational adequacy, and the future of teaching and learning in the District. That work resulted in a May 2021 bond election with two propositions totalling $183,650,000, both of which were approved by voters. Proposition A passed with 67 percent of the vote, while Proposition B passed with 61 percent.

The Board of Trustees also voted to call a school board election on May 6 for places 3 and 4. The filing period for the school board election starts today and is open through February 17 at 5:00 pm. Candidates who have filed for a place on the ballot today include incumbent and current board president Billy Moore for place 3 and newcomer Priscilla Ruiz for place 4. Molly McClure, who has held place 4 since 2014, is retiring her service to the board when her term expires in May. Information regarding school board elections can be found at bisdtx.org/elections.

Early voting for the May election will take place at all countywide poll locations from April 24 to 28 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm with extended voting hours on May 1 and 2 from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. Election day is Saturday, May 6.