Mckinney Courier-gazette > News
McKinney ISD bond package easily approved
By Andrew Snyder, asnyder@acnpapers.com
Voters overwhelmingly supported the McKinney ISD's proposed $191 million bond package, approving with 74 percent of ballots cast a measure that prepares the district for future growth by adding on to and renovating existing campuses rather than building new ones.
"The citizens overall understood that we really cut back on what we were originally thinking about as far as the bond package," said Dr. J.D. Kennedy, MISD Superintendent. "We really tried to do just a nuts and bolts sort of plan. We looked at a fourth high school and realized we could not afford to do that with our existing debt and financial situation. It was really reassuring to see the voters support what we needed for the basic needs of our kids."
It was the district's first bond election since 2005, a package voters approved with 89 percent of the vote.
The recently voted in bond funds are expected to serve the district's needs for five years.
A portion of the bonds will be used to expand McKinney High School and McKinney North High School to accommodate a growing high school population projected to increase by 1,100 students over the next five years. When expansions are complete, both campuses will be the size of McKinney Boyd and able to accommodate 3,000 students.
The bond package will also fund expansions at Reuben Johnson Elementary School, Malvern Elementary School, Dowell Middle School, and Faubion Middle School.
The approved bond package will increase taxes on a $150,000 by an estimated $1.35 per month or $16.50 per year.
"I think at the end of the day, people really saw that this bond was addressing critical needs," said district spokesperson Cody Cunningham. "We're excited about the renovations that are going to take place, especially at McKinney High School, and we're going to be able to have good environments for our kids. We're still growing, and that's something that we have to be prepared to address. We're really excited with the results. This community has always placed education as a high priority."
Chris Beattie contributed to this report.
"The citizens overall understood that we really cut back on what we were originally thinking about as far as the bond package," said Dr. J.D. Kennedy, MISD Superintendent. "We really tried to do just a nuts and bolts sort of plan. We looked at a fourth high school and realized we could not afford to do that with our existing debt and financial situation. It was really reassuring to see the voters support what we needed for the basic needs of our kids."
It was the district's first bond election since 2005, a package voters approved with 89 percent of the vote.
The recently voted in bond funds are expected to serve the district's needs for five years.
A portion of the bonds will be used to expand McKinney High School and McKinney North High School to accommodate a growing high school population projected to increase by 1,100 students over the next five years. When expansions are complete, both campuses will be the size of McKinney Boyd and able to accommodate 3,000 students.
The bond package will also fund expansions at Reuben Johnson Elementary School, Malvern Elementary School, Dowell Middle School, and Faubion Middle School.
The approved bond package will increase taxes on a $150,000 by an estimated $1.35 per month or $16.50 per year.
"I think at the end of the day, people really saw that this bond was addressing critical needs," said district spokesperson Cody Cunningham. "We're excited about the renovations that are going to take place, especially at McKinney High School, and we're going to be able to have good environments for our kids. We're still growing, and that's something that we have to be prepared to address. We're really excited with the results. This community has always placed education as a high priority."
Chris Beattie contributed to this report.
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