BISHOP, Texas — Several community members are speaking out against the Bishop CISD's 2024 bond because it has items that were on the district's previous 2018 bond.
As 3NEWS has previously reported, the bond will be split into two different propositions. From security to improvements to the football stadium, the 2024 Bishop CISD Bond will cost $28 million.
Bishop resident Jenilee Latimer is on of those residents worried the district is wasting money after a conversation with the district's director of finance.
"I asked him, I noticed that there are several things that are on this bond that there are repeats," Latimer said. "He said there were no repeats but there are. Another concern I had in the 2018 bond was the demolition of the old tennis court to built new parking. I asked him why it was on the 2024 bond again, I asked him where that money went and he couldn't tell me."
Superintendent Christina Gutierrez said the district can account for every penny used in the last bond election and said the district even used money out of their own pocket to cover project overruns.
"That $40,000 was obviously allocated into some of the other projects we have," Gutierrez said.
Those funds were allocated for the demolition of the old tennis courts but was not completed due to budget constraints. Bishop CISD provided 3NEWS with documentation of what the money was used for and how much they went over budget.
"Although the bond passed for $15.225 million in 2018, we as a school district probably spend at least $16 million to get everything finished," Gutierrez said.
In favor of the bond is Bishop CISD alumni and parent Joe Montabo who said he enjoyed playing on the same football field his son now plays on but he would like to see improvements to keep students safe and also for the future economic growth of the city.
"I'm in support not just for current Bishop CISD students but also for future generations and the growth of our community," Montabo said. "With businesses like Tesla opening up in the area, I think the bond's improvements will be an incentive to bring more families to Bishop so they can raise their children here."
Latimer said she would like the community and the school district to work together in the future.
Below is a list of what the bond will include:
Proposition A, $20 million
- Safety and Security
- Academic Environment
- Capital Projects
- Parking and Driveway
- Bus and Equipment
Proposition B, $8 million
- Football Stadium Improvements
- Sports Complex Improvements
Bishop residents will be able to vote for the 2024 bond during early voting beginning April 22.