Tarkington ISD’s Board of Trustees has taken a step toward enhancing the educational facilities in the district by calling for an $80 million bond election during the Nov. 5, 2024, general election. If passed by voters, the bond will address critical infrastructure needs across TISD, ensuring that the district’s facilities can meet the demands of a growing student population and evolving educational requirements.
The bond proposal includes a wide array of projects aimed at both constructing new facilities and renovating existing ones. A primary component of the bond is the construction of a new elementary school designed to accommodate 900 students, with approximately 110,000 square feet of learning space. This new school is needed to address the district’s increasing enrollment, according to Tarkington ISD.
In addition to the new elementary school, the bond allocates funds for extensive renovations at Tarkington’s existing schools, some of which are decades old. For instance, Tarkington Early Childhood School, built in 1957, is slated for numerous upgrades, including roof repairs, interior painting, new ceiling tiles, restroom upgrades, gym upgrades, new signage, new door hardware to meet requirements of the American Disabilities Act (ADA), flooring upgrades, and the installation of energy-efficient LED lighting.
Tarkington Elementary School, which has been serving the community since 1971, will also undergo significant renovations. With a capacity of 775 students, the school will see major interior updates, including new lighting, ceiling tiles, flooring, and a secure entrance to enhance safety.
Tarkington Middle School, constructed in 1974, is another key focus of the bond. The planned renovations and additions include roof leak repairs, a cafeteria and kitchen renovation to increase core space, and upgrades to meet ADA and security requirements. The middle school will also benefit from the installation of covered walkways, new ceiling tiles, telescoping bleachers in the gym, and science lab renovations.
Tarkington High School, built in 2003, will not be left out of the improvements. The bond includes plans for a new Career and Technical Education (CTE) wing, additional classrooms, and significant renovations to the agriculture shop. The high school will also see improvements to its science labs, the installation of energy-efficient LED lighting, and roof leak repairs.
An aspect of the bond is the focus on enhancing the district’s fine arts programs. Both the high school and middle school band halls will receive renovations, with the high school band hall being expanded to include increased rehearsal space, practice rooms, and additional storage for instruments and equipment. The middle school auditorium will also undergo upgrades to its sound and lighting systems, as well as stage repairs, to better support performances and other school events.
Safety and security enhancements are proposed in the bond, with funds allocated for upgrades across all campuses. These include the installation of security vestibules at every campus, upgrades to entry access hardware, and other enhancements designed to ensure that students and staff are protected in a secure environment.
To fund these comprehensive improvements, the district is proposing a tax rate increase of 10 cents, resulting in a total TISD tax rate of $1.0325.
According to the District’s press release about the bond, the phased approach to completing the projects allows for a smaller tax rate increase, making it more manageable for district residents. For example, a homestead assessed at $250,000, with a taxable value of $150,000 after exemptions, would see a tax increase of approximately $12.50 per month, or $150 per year, starting in 2025.
“There will be no increase over the taxpayer’s frozen dollar amount on the homesteads of taxpayers aged 65 years and older who have applied for and received the ‘Age 65 or Older Exemption.’ Additionally, due to the recently increased homestead exemption, homesteads with an appraised value of $100,000 or less will not pay any school taxes to Tarkington ISD,” the press release reads.
As the Nov. 5, 2024, election approaches, TISD encourages all eligible voters to participate in this critical decision that will shape the future of the District’s facilities. Voter registration is required by Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, and early voting will run from Monday, Oct. 21, to Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. Election day, which coincides with the presidential election, will be on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Voters must be 18 or older to participate in the election.
Tarkington ISD’s Board of Trustees has taken a step toward enhancing the educational facilities in the district by calling for an $80 million bond election during the Nov. 5, 2024, general election. If passed by voters, the bond will address critical infrastructure needs across TISD, ensuring that the district’s facilities can meet the demands of a growing student population and evolving educational requirements.
The bond proposal includes a wide array of projects aimed at both constructing new facilities and renovating existing ones. A primary component of the bond is the construction of a new elementary school designed to accommodate 900 students, with approximately 110,000 square feet of learning space. This new school is needed to address the district’s increasing enrollment, according to Tarkington ISD.
In addition to the new elementary school, the bond allocates funds for extensive renovations at Tarkington’s existing schools, some of which are decades old. For instance, Tarkington Early Childhood School, built in 1957, is slated for numerous upgrades, including roof repairs, interior painting, new ceiling tiles, restroom upgrades, gym upgrades, new signage, new door hardware to meet requirements of the American Disabilities Act (ADA), flooring upgrades, and the installation of energy-efficient LED lighting.
Tarkington Elementary School, which has been serving the community since 1971, will also undergo significant renovations. With a functional capacity of 775 students, the school will see major interior updates, including new lighting, ceiling tiles, flooring, and a secure entrance to enhance safety.
Tarkington Middle School, constructed in 1974, is another key focus of the bond. The planned renovations and additions include roof leak repairs, a cafeteria and kitchen renovation to increase core space, and upgrades to meet ADA and security requirements. The middle school will also benefit from the installation of covered walkways, new ceiling tiles, telescoping bleachers in the gym, and science lab renovations.
Tarkington High School, built in 2003, will not be left out of the improvements. The bond includes plans for a new Career and Technical Education (CTE) wing, additional classrooms, an
For more information about the bond election, including detailed descriptions of the proposed projects, the district has made resources available on the Tarkington ISD website at www.tarkingtonisd.net.