DeSoto ISD proposes a $199M bond to renovate aging schools and athletic facilities.
DeSoto ISD proposes a $199M bond to renovate aging schools and athletic facilities.
DeSoto ISD proposes a $199M bond to renovate aging schools and athletic facilities.
DESOTO, Texas — The eagle on DeSoto ISD’s seal is more than a mascot.
“Eagles can soar in any condition,” said Kay Brown-Patrick, a DeSoto ISD parent. “It resembles and embodies exactly what DeSoto has done for the past 20 years.”
That is how long it’s been since the district passed a bond package.
“You wouldn’t go 20 years without maintenance to your car, your home,” Brown-Patrick said.
She founded Emerging Leaders of DeSoto keeping residents engaged. One focus this May Election is a more than $199M bond package to improve schools and athletic facilities. Brown-Patrick toured some of these facilities through the district’s Facility Bus Tour.
“One of the buildings, there was literally a hole in the roof,” Brown-Patrick said. “Even the track is in horrible conditions.”
DeSoto Superintendent Dr. Usamah Rodgers and the district’s Facilities Planning Committee are aiming to fix those issues through the bond’s three propositions.
“There are things that are truly needed to enhance the safety and security and bring our facilities up to code as well,” Dr. Rodgers said.
Proposition A would renovate 10 schools and replace Frank Moates Elementary School. Proposition B would improve athletic facilities. Proposition C would improve the high school stadium. The buildings have an average age of 38 years old.
The total bond would have a roughly $.1554 tax rate impact, which is $6.48 a month for a $155,000 DeSoto home.
“We tried to make sure that we were practical and being physically conservative but ensuring that we were working hard to address all the major needs and repairs that are needed within our district facilities,” said Dr. Rodgers.
“You’re looking at the districts around us that are passing bonds that are double, triple. Lewisville, Denton had a $1 billion bond…This district is asking for $199 million to do maintenance on facilities,” said Brown-Patrick. “I think that a missing part of the story is the economic impact that even the athletics facilities will have. You look at Mansfield Stadium. They are going to be a team base for FIFA World Cup.”
The bond package comes as public school funding is in question. “I’m just saying level the playing field by funding schools based on enrollment and not average daily attendance,” said Dr. Rodgers.
She said enrollment and attendance have improved along with meeting academic, arts, and athletic goals despite growing needs.
“When I talked about the track, the boys just won the District 6A championship,” Brown-Patrick said.
Just as their mascot, they are soaring through adversity and meeting new heights.
“Eagle is the bird that faces the storm,” Dr. Rodgers said.
For more information on DeSoto ISD’s bond package, click here.
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