Houston voters dismissed Houston ISD’s $4.4 billion bond proposal –the largest school bond in Texas history– in Tuesday’s general election, making it the first time in nearly 30 years that Harris County voters rejected a school bond.
According to final but unofficial results from Harris County Clerk’s Office about 58% of voters rejected HISD’s bond proposal, which consisted of two propositions. Proposition A, would have allocated $3.96 billion for school renovations, safety upgrades, and infrastructure improvements. On the other hand, Proposition B requested $440 million for technology upgrades.
According to the Houston Chronicle, HISD’s parents organized a grassroots campaign, urging voters to oppose the bond, as a protest against the current school district administration. The group of critics told the Chronicle they viewed the bond as a referendum on the state-appointment superintendent’s leadership.
HISD superintendent, Mike Miles brought many changes to the district, including a New Education System, and the removal of some teachers and principals.
Miles, on the other hand, criticized the parent’s campaign against the bond, saying that “the politics of adults beat out the needs of our children.”
HISD’s bond was focused on renovating outdated facilities, expanding pre-K seats, and complying with new state law requiring more security at school campuses. It is unclear whether the district will achieve these goals without the bond money.
