MFISD bonds pass. Now what?
Marble Falls Independent School District voters showed overwhelming support of $172.2 million worth of bonds on Election Day, May 3. With the four propositions passed, and funds soon being made available, MFISD leaders are now prioritizing projects, starting with a major fix to traffic troubles at Highland Lakes Elementary School.
While the bond package did not come with a tax rate increase, it was the largest request the school district has ever made of residents within its borders. Even so, supporters turned out in force.
BOND ELECTION RESULTS
Proposition A: $131.43 million for modernization of facilities and safety/security features
- For—1,852 votes, 75.53 percent
- Against—600 votes, 24.47 percent
Proposition B: $2.2 million for student/staff technology replacement and upgrades
- For—1,846 votes, 75.35 percent
- Against—604 votes, 24.65 percent
Proposition C: $12.51 million for athletic facility improvements
- For—1,636 votes, 66.97 percent
- Against—807, 33.03 percent
Proposition D: $26.05 million for a new, multi-purpose indoor sports facility
- For—1,662 votes, 68.03 percent
- Against—781 votes, 31.97 percent
“I was extremely excited that the community came out and supported MFISD,” Superintendent Jeff Gasaway told DailyTrib.com following the election. “There are lots of projects on the horizon that will impact every single MFISD student.”
The massive bond package is expected to lay the groundwork for the next 30 years of growth and needs in the district and to modernize aging campuses.
According to Gasaway, the first project on the list is an overhaul of the Highland Lakes Elementary School bus loop and visitor parking to help alleviate traffic congestion during pick-ups and drop-offs at the Granite Shoals campus, which is located off of RR 1431. Gasaway hopes the project can start this summer and be completed before the beginning of the 2025-26 academic year.
“It is a huge relief to hear that, not just for my department but for my community,” said Granite Shoals Police Chief John Ortis.
Ortis and his officers have to direct traffic during the school year as a long line of cars stretches from the campus all the way to RR 1431, causing major backups and travel delays.
The funding for this particular project will come from Proposition A, which provided major bucks for large, district-wide infrastructure improvements.
The next big project is a new turf baseball field at Marble Falls High School, which will be paid for by funds from Proposition B. Gasaway explained that many of the other bond projects, like the construction of the multi-purpose indoor training facility, depend upon the field’s relocation.
To ensure expedient work, MFISD may initially use its own money to pay for upgrades this summer as the bonds are sold—which can take months—and then reimburse itself later on.
“I really appreciate the faith and trust the community had in passing (the bonds),” Gasaway said. “We’re going to strive to manage these projects with excellence and transparency.”
As funds become available, committees might be formed to determine how projects are handled and the MFISD Board of Trustees will collaborate with administration to make big decisions on spending.
“(The passing of the bonds is) going to give us an opportunity to really push the district forward,” said board President Kevin Naumann. “In general, it is going to be amazing for us to really get us toward that district of destination that we’re talking about.”
Naumann acknowledged that, while the majority of voters were in favor of the bonds, there are still those in the community who opposed the propositions at the polls.
“I think, a lot of the time, the public school system gets a bad rap, but I think we’re different here,” he said. “I hope they will take time to get to know us and what we’re doing and the good work.”