Spring Branch, Katy ISD boards set fall bond elections on $1.5M in bonds

The Mike Johnston Field at Katy ISD Legacy Stadium, 5070 Franz Rd., is shown Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017, in Katy. The Mike Johnston Field at Katy ISD Legacy Stadium, 5070 Franz Rd., is shown Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017, in Katy. Photo: Melissa Phillip, Houston Chronicle Photo: Melissa Phillip, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 65 Caption Close Spring Branch, Katy ISD boards set fall bond elections on $1.5M in bonds 1 / 65 Back to Gallery

Voters in Spring Branch and Katy ISDs will vote on $1.5 billion worth of bonds in November after their school boards set the elections Monday.

The bonds would fund construction, renovation, new technology and other non-instructional purchases at the districts. The Spring Branch ISD bond totals $898 million, while the Katy ISD bond would bring in $609 million.

The school boards in both districts unanimously voted to set the bond elections. The bond packages were put together by committees of more than 100 local residents and aired during several meetings with board members.

PROPOSAL: Spring Branch ISD considers $900 million in bonds, mostly for facilities

In Spring Branch ISD, the bonds would, in part, pay for the replacement or renovation of 12 elementary schools, seven middle schools and four high schools, as well as four pre-K facilities. Those major projects would affect about half of the district's schools. All campuses in the district would receive some form of upgrades through the bond.

In Katy ISD, which is projecting an increase of enrollment from 78,000 to 98,000 in the next decade, the bond would largely fund construction of six new schools (three elementary, two junior high and one high). Those projects would comprise about three-quarters of the $609 million.

Spring Branch last had a major bond in 2007, when voters approved a 10-year plan totaling about $600 million in projects. The 2017 proposal would not include any additional increase in taxes.

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Katy ISD voters greenlit a $748 million bond in 2014, which funded six new schools, renovations to six campuses and a new 12,000-seat football stadium. That project drew criticism after the stadium went $12 million over budget, but school board members have argued the issue shouldn't lead voters to reject the current bond proposal.