Voters rejected some athletic facility and natatorium upgrades, but gave a passing grade to some of the biggest allocations for technology upgrades and HVAC repairs.
SAN ANTONIO — Voters delivered a partial grade on North East ISD’s $495 million bond package – the second-largest in the district’s history – approving the biggest allocations for repairs, technology upgrades and some athletics center renovations.
But voters rejected roughly $11 million that would have been used to improve Comalander and Heroes stadiums, as well as district natatoriums.
Voters weighed in on the bond package across five separate ballot measures on Tuesday. The biggest chunk was approved through Proposition A, which earmarked about $400 million for replacing chillers, repairing roofs and plumbing, and modernizing HVAC systems.
NEISD services an estimated 57,000 students in San Antonio.
It had been 10 years since NEISD last put a bond before voters. District leaders called the projects critical fixes designed to preserve what taxpayers already own.
What’s in the bond
About 81 percent of the total, or roughly $400 million, is earmarked for repairs and upgrades through the approved Proposition A to make necessary repairs to existing schools. Passage of Proposition B approves about $53 million for technology, including replacing classroom devices for student and teachers, and updating computer systems for the district’s police department.
Proposition C focuses on athletics, including renovations to Littleton Gymnasium, Blossom Athletic Center and the Judson Road Complex.
Proposition D and E would have tended to the aforementioned facilities, as well as restroom upgrades at North East Sports Park.
How we got here
After two years of searching for a consultant, NEISD hired the firm Gordian to complete a district-wide facilities assessment—the first of its kind.
The study examined 458 buildings, 240 portables and more than 12 million square feet of space.
“That was sort of a seminal moment for us,” Superintendent Dr. Sean Maika previously told KENS 5. “Our district, just like much of the United States, is good at building new stuff. We’re not always great at keeping up with what we have.”
The assessment provided what Maika calls “a clear line of sight” into the district’s infrastructure.
“That facilities assessment really crystallized a good picture,” he said. “Every time we repair something, it moves down on the priority list and lifts another one higher. We’ll always know the state of our facilities.”
Carrington said the study also highlighted issues many people never considered, such as humidity damage in swimming facilities.
“If you’ve ever been to a swim meet, it’s miserable,” he said. “While the humidity is uncomfortable, it also degrades the facility. So all the equipment open to the air is now rusting, it’s breaking down. So one of the things that the assessment told us is we need dehumidifiers in there. What that does is it extends the life of the building. Now we’ve got a structure that could maybe last another 20, 25, 30 years.”
The facilities database is now an ongoing digital dashboard that updates as repairs are made. Carrington called it a living document, one that helps the district prioritize needs from year to year.
“It’s being able to look at the district from the point of what’s needed right now, what’s needed tomorrow, and what’s going to be needed in the next three to five years,” he said.
See the latest election results here.