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June 28, 2007—The Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Bond Steering Committee (BSC) presented its recommendation for a 2007 bond election to the Board of Trustees during a special-called meeting on June 28.

A recommendation to the Board for a 2007 Bond Referendum totaled $806,836,474 for the construction of 13 new schools and one support facility; the purchase of 10 school sites; buses to accommodate student growth and replace older buses; preventative maintenance and renovations of instructional and support facilities; and technology for the growth in new students and staff, replacement of aging technology, and increased student access to technology.

In March, a 70-member Bond Steering Committee, led by community co-chair, Dr. Ed Hogan, set a goal of developing a bond issue recommendation that:

• considers the educational needs of a projected student population of 115,000 (During the process, the BSC received an updated projection of 116,573 students.);
• provides a solution for the facility needs brought on by the district’s rapid growth;
• ensures support for a quality education for all students;
• is fiscally sound;
• reflects community values and perceptions of needs;
• ensures an adequate and appropriate learning environment; and
• includes a five-year projection for preventive maintenance and facility renovation needs including technology replacement and upgrades.

The Student Growth, Instructional/Support Facilities and Technology subcommittees were formed in April to research specific needs and prepare options for consideration by the entire BSC.

Hogan said, “The recommendation is not based on a wish list, but on real needs identified by the BSC. Three factors beyond the control of the district had the greatest impact on the amount –historic, remarkable student enrollment growth; inflation; and state mandates.”  According to Hogan, about $150 million in legitimate needs were identified through the subcommittee process that the BSC reluctantly had to exclude in order to reduce the dollar amount of their recommendation.

Important information studied by each subcommittee and the entire BSC has been made readily available on the district website.

Trustees will review the Bond Steering Committee’s recommendation and will not make a decision until the Aug. 13 Board meeting, at the earliest.

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