Ysleta ISD’s $430 million bond proposal passes

UPDATE: With all precincts reporting, the Ysleta ISD bond proposal passed with 6,316 votes in favor, about 59 percent of the vote.

This bond first came before voters earlier this year in May. Then it was $451 million. It barely failed, with 51 percent voting against and 49 percent in favor.

YISD specifically targeted seniors this time around. Superintendent Dr. Xavier De La Torre spent the better part of two months explaining the 12 cent tax increase won’t affect seniors, from $1.-36 to $1.48 per $100 of home valuation. their rate is locked in. De La Torre said the rate won’t affect homeowners who qualify for the 20 percent homestead exemption.

This time around the bond is $20 million less, down from $451 million. A community bond committee which chose the projects dropped expensive items like the performing arts and aquatics center.

Broken down, the bond would pay $8.3 million toward school security, $10 million to upgrade technology, $155.7 million to build new campuses for Bel Air Middle, Del Valle Middle/Mission Valley Elementary, and Thomas Manor Elementary, $127.2 million to renovate schools, including $93 million for Eastwood High, $10.2 million to improve fine arts facilities, $55.1 million to improve athletic facilities, and $63.7 million to replace roofs, plumbing and A/C.

YISD Superintendent Dr. Xavier De La Torre has said YISD residents will see their annual taxes go down if the school district’s new bond passes today.

A bond advisory committee made up of about 73 YISD residents decided this time around that they would drop costly projects such as the aquatics and performing arts center.

The bond however is putting more money toward redesigning Eastwood High, which went from $75 million to $93 million.

In May the district went with a plan that would add 258,000 square feet and just over two years to build. But the advisory bond committee wanted to add 378,000 square feet, which will take 3.6 years to build.

Both of these changes increase the cost, said De La Torre.

The district wants to leave 125,000 square feet as is, but it would demolish some areas, rebuilding a three-story classroom wing, a new athletics area and increased parking.

It would also have the infrastructure to provide robust technology and a renovated fine arts center.

In May voters rejected De La Torre’s proposal by a small margin, he believes this was due to confusion about how much the bond would increase taxes. He intends to clear that up by election time. Right now YISD’s tax rate is $1.36 per $100 of home valuation. If the bond passes, it would increase to $1.50. That’s an increase of about $66 a year.

But residents would still see their taxes go down. He said for a $100,000 home, Ysleta’s homestead tax credit values it at $80,000. The state then chips in $25,000, meaning a $100,000 home is valued at $55,000. With a $1.50 tax rate and the homestead credit, the half a billion dollar bond will cost the average home $825. Currently resident pay $884 annually.

YISD residents have to apply for the homestead credit and any property owner over 65 will not see any increase in their tax rate.

De La Torre said its important this bond be passed in November because the county elections office already told the district it will not hold another election for YISD next spring. If the bond doesn’t pass in November, De La Torre said rebuilding Eastwood High and other schools would be suspended for some time.