The Rockdale Reporter urges you to vote “for” on May 6
The Rockdale Independent School District needs your help. A bond measure to improve all school campuses will be on the May 6 ballot. Early voting starts on Monday, April 24.
Are you over age 65? Passage of this school bond will have no effect on your taxes. The Reporter asks that you enthusiastically vote for the bond to ensure your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will have updated schools in which to learn.
After the tragic shooting massacre at the school in Uvalde, the State of Texas has mandated several safety measures for all schools in the state. The required fencing alone will cost over $3 million for the RISD.
Here is a list of what the plans are for the bond money:
• Rockdale Elementary School will renovate the upper classroom wing, renovate and move the office area for a new secure entry, replace existing windows and doors which no longer meet TEA guidelines with secure impact resistant versions, and other safety and security upgrades.
• Rockdale Intermediate School will have safety and security updates.
• Rockdale Junior High will receive the most work of all campuses by adding eight classrooms, renovating the kitchen and cafeteria, the addition of a band hall, a gym expansion, library expansion, administrative expansion, site paving and safety and security measures.
• Rockdale High School will have parking expansion and safety and security upgrades.
The bond does not include any money for the CTE building, the former Richards Memorial Hospital.
The estimated maximum tax impact would be $0.0448 for a total rate of $1.3496. This would equal an increase of approximately $3.89 per month for an average home value in the Rockdale ISD.
As stated above taxes for homeowners 65 years of age or older would not be affected by the bond unless significant improvements are made on your property. You must file as a homestead and an over 65 exemption with the local appraisal district.
How did the school arrive at the amount of $30 million? The bond proposal was developed by a citizens committee comprised of Rockdale parents, staff, business leaders and community leaders. They met over the course of several months to study and prioritize the needs of the district. Input from the rest of the community was given through an online survey and public Town Hall Meetings.
Because this is an election in Texas the state is involved so the wording on the ballot makes little sense. Here is how it will appear: “The issuance of $30,000,000 for the construction, acquisition, rehabilitation, renovation, expansion, improvement, and equipment of school buildings in the district. The purchase of the necessary sites for school buildings and the purchase of new school buses, and the levying of a tax in payment thereof. This is a property tax increase.”
Your choices on the ballot are “for” and “against.”
If you have questions or concerns there is another Town Hall meeting tonight, April 20, in the high school cafeteria at 6 p.m. Enter through the front entrance rotunda.
We hope you will vote for the school bond.
—KWC
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