A new $ 70 million college for the independent school district of Gainesville is due for approval on Tuesday.

The project, intended to replace the aging high school in Gainesville, could cost landowners in the district up to an additional 27 cents per $ 100 of assessment assessed on annual tax bills – about $ 270 more for a property valued at $ 100,000.

Gainesville ISD Superintendent Desmontes Stewart told the register this week that the college – built in 1958 – is increasingly costing to operate, needs a new roof and is not up to standard. ‘Americans with Disabilities Act in places.

“We did a facility assessment a few years ago where they really looked at not only the educational integrity of our facilities, but also the safety and security in our buildings… our building was deemed to have exceeded its lifespan. useful life, ”says Stewart. “Also, while we are talking about trying to present or provide our students with the 21st century learning environment, it is very difficult in this current building.”

Old block buildings are more expensive to heat and cool, as thick walls take longer to warm up and store heat in fall and winter, as well as cool down in spring and summer.

“Things like being able to cool our classrooms, heat our classrooms, you know, all of these things play a role in the overall educational experience of our children… right now this building needs a 2-inch roof. million dollars on the educational side and a $ 225,000 roof over the auditorium; whatever the outcome of the bond (vote), we’re going to have to pay $ 2 million to put a whole new roof on a 64-year-old building.

Stewart said he and the school board understand that raising property taxes is never popular, but he points out that the district’s levy has fallen steadily in recent years – from $ 1.28 per $ 100 to the current rate of $ 1.06. He added that the school district was considering an increase in property values ​​and more real estate developments, such as Black Hill Farm on the west side of Gainesville and Chalmers Estates on the east side, in order to raise a large chunk of funds to help cover the obligations.

The superintendent also stressed that homeowners 65 and over will not be financially affected by the proposed tax hike, provided they have applied for homestead exemptions.

Firm financing and design plans won’t happen unless the surety authority is approved in Tuesday’s election. If that happens, Stewart said the project could be funded by a series of bonds – the total value not to exceed $ 70 million.

Elsewhere on the ballot, voters in East Cooke County will decide whether the Indian Creek Volunteer Fire Department can establish a tax district to fund its operations. The county ambulance service would not be affected by the vote.

Tuesday’s polling stations are:

New Gainesville College

Enclosures 1, 3, 5, 31: Gainesville Civic Center, 311 S. Weaver Street, Gainesville;

Venues 2, 30, 34, 35: First Christian Church, 401 N. Dixon St., Gainesville;

Enclosures 4, 26, 27: Hillcrest Church of Christ, 1712 E. O’Neal St., Gainesville;

Venues 6, 9: Callisburg Community Center, 92 McDaniel St., Whitesboro (Callisburg);

Enclosure 7, 28: Tabernacle Baptist Church, 305 CR 194, Gainesville

City 8: Callisburg Elementary School, 648 FM 3164, Gainesville;

City 10: Mt. Springs Community Center, 173 Mt. Springs Lane, Valley View (Mt. Springs);

City 11: Valley View Baptist Church, 504 N. Lee, Valley View;

Enclosures 12, 14: Era Community Center, 102, rue Malone, Era;

City 15: Myra Volunteer Fire Department, 102, rue Malone, Myra;

City 17: Münster VFW, 136, rue Ash;

City 18: First Baptist Church, Münster, 121 N. Pecan St., Münster;

Wards 19, 21: Conrad Hall, 431 Ash St., Lindsay;

City 20, 27: East Side Church of the Nazarene, 1415 S. Radio Hill Rd., Gainesville;

City 22: Lake Kiowa Lodge, 905 W. Kiowa Drive, Lake Kiowa;

City 33: Moss Lake Fire Station, 160 FM 1201 Ext., Gainesville.

Indian Creek EDD

Enclosure 7: Tabernacle Baptist Church, 305 CR 194, Gainesville;

City 8: Callisburg Elementary School, 648 FM 3164, Gainesville (Woodbine);

City 10: Mt. Springs Community Center, 173 Mt. Springs Lane, Valley View (Mt. Springs);

City 11: Valley View Baptist Church, 504 N. Lee, Valley View;

City 22: Lake Kiowa Lodge, 905 W. Kiowa Drive, Lake Kiowa.

Modifications

There are also eight proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution in Tuesday’s poll:

Proposition 1 (HJR 143) – “The constitutional amendment authorizing charitable foundations of professional sports teams of organizations sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association or the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association to hold charity raffles at rodeo venues. “

Proposition 2 (HJR 99) – “The constitutional amendment authorizing a county to finance the development or redevelopment of transport or infrastructure in unproductive, underdeveloped or devastated areas of the county. “

Proposition 3 (SJR 27) – “The constitutional amendment prohibiting this state or a political subdivision of this state from prohibiting or limiting the religious services of religious organizations. “

Proposition 4 (SJR 47) – “The constitutional amendment modifying the conditions of eligibility of a judge of the Supreme Court, of a judge of the criminal court of appeal, of a judge of a court of appeal and a district judge. “

Proposition 5 (HJR 165) – “The constitutional amendment conferring additional powers on the State Commission on Judicial Conduct in relation to candidates for judicial office”.

Proposition 6 (SJR 19) – “The constitutional amendment establishing a right for residents of certain facilities to designate an essential caregiver for in-person visits. “

Proposition 7 (HJR 125) – “The constitutional amendment to allow the surviving spouse of a disabled person to receive a limitation on ad valorem taxes from the school district on the homestead of the spouse’s residence if the spouse is 55 years of age or more at the time of the person’s death.

Proposition 8 (SJR 35) – “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide an exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of the market value of the residential property of the surviving spouse of a member of the United States armed forces who is killed or fatally injured in the performance of his duties.