Voters nix Conroe ISD’s $807 million bond proposal

The Conroe ISD trustees formally acknowledged in a public board workshop Tuesday night that the district’s bond referendum failed; they also discussed in more detail what would be the next move forward. A sign in support and against the Conroe ISD’s school bond are seen in front of the Lee G. Alworth Building as municipal voting continues, Tuesday, April 23, 2019, in Conroe. less The Conroe ISD trustees formally acknowledged in a public board workshop Tuesday night that the district’s bond referendum failed; they also discussed in more detail what would be the next move forward. A ... more Photo: Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle / Staff Photographer Photo: Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle / Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 5 Caption Close Voters nix Conroe ISD’s $807 million bond proposal 1 / 5 Back to Gallery

Taxpayers denied Conroe Independent School District’s $807 million bond referendum proposal Saturday night. After early and absentee ballots showed an almost evenly split tally, with all precincts reporting it became clear — about 54.5% of voters were against the proposal with 15,230 total ballots counted.

Though all results from the Montgomery County election office are unofficial until canvassed, District Superintendent Curtis Null said in a statement that he is thankful for all who turned out to make their voices heard in this election.

“Conroe ISD will continue to meet the educational needs of our great community. We are confident that with our board’s leadership we will make the needed adjustments to ensure a successful future for our District,” Null’s statement read.

Previously, at a community forum, Null was asked what would happen if the bond referendum fails.

Null responded that the district would still have a successful school year, but that the board of trustees would have to make some decisions regarding salaries, staffing formulas and programmatic changes to move money around so that necessary capital projects could be completed.

The proposal, built as a four-year plan, would have given the 11th largest district in the state the ability to complete major projects geared toward growth, sustainability and safety and security.

Major projects included a $146 million Conroe High School renovation that would have converted the six-building campus into one and an Oak Ridge High School overhaul and addition for $58 million. Three new elementary schools and one new junior high school were included for a total of $192 million.

If passed, the referendum could have resulted in a maximum overall tax increase of 3 cents over the course of three years, bringing the school district’s tax rate from $1.28 per $100 valuation up to $1.31 per $100 valuation.

Growth drove the district’s largest-ever bond referendum proposal and its elements: the district currently serves more than 63,000 students across 63 campuses but is one of the fastest-growing districts in the state with projections to add 1,350 students per year for the next 10 years.

The last Conroe ISD bond put to voters was in 2015, when taxpayers approved a $487 million package.

jane.stueckemann@chron.com