Among the local elections and statewide constitutional amendment proposals on the November 7 ballot will be two bond elections for Hill County schools. Both Aquilla Independent School District (ISD) and Covington ISD have called bond elections next month.
Aquilla is asking voters to approve a plan that would include seven new instructional classrooms, a multi-event center and a new track and field at a total cost of $11.4 million.
The district says the improvements are needed to keep up with growth and the needs of students, to maintain safety and security and to enhance academic and extracurricular spaces.
In addition to the new instructional classrooms to accommodate students, the proposed multi-event center would include classrooms for theater, band and art. It would also have facilities for elementary physical education classes, a regulation size court and a special events space with a stage that meets University Interscholastic League (UIL) regulations.
The outdoor athletic upgrades would include an eight-lane track that meets UIL regulations and a grass football field.
If the bond passes, the projected 2024 tax rate for Aquilla ISD would be $1.21 per $100 valuation. That is 10 cents higher than the 2023 rate but the same as the 2022 rate.
Assuming the $100,000 homestead exemption constitutional amendment proposal also passes in November, the annual impact on the average home in the district (valued at $158,000) would be $58 per year. There would be no impact on a home valued at $100,000 or less. There will also be no impact for those over 65 who have a freeze on their homestead and make no significant improvements to their properties.
Aquilla ISD has scheduled town hall meetings for Sunday, October 15 at 5 p.m. and Saturday, November 4 at 1 p.m. in the school cafeteria to discuss the proposal with the community. More information is also available online at http://www.aquillaisdbond.com.
Covington ISD is proposing a new school building addition with the majority of its proposed $9,997,000 bond. The project would include demolition of a portion of the existing building to create a new storm-hardened addition containing bathrooms, four classrooms, science lab, family consumer sciences lab, student gathering area and a transition corridor back to the school gym.
Other aspects of the project would include a new weight room, locker room, concession stand and bathrooms for athletics, and a new ADA-accessible playground with accessories would also be added.
The Covington ISD Board of Trustees has also committed to complete work with local funds in addition to the scope of the bond. This work includes improvements to the agriculture science program, including work on the ag barn, ventilation in the ag shop and the purchase of new equipment and tools; new kitchen equipment for the cafeteria; improvements to the fine arts program, including a lighting and sound system for one-act play and new stage curtains; and finishing out air-conditioning upgrades in the STAR and elementary buildings and installing new flooring in the STAR building.
Tax impact information shows that the Covington proposal would include a 43.6-cent increase in the district’s tax rate, but the district pointed out that its taxes have decreased 45 cents over the past six years and the district is currently debt free.
The average value of a residence in the Covington ISD is $67,300. If the homestead exemption proposal passes, there would be no impact to property owners with property valued at $100,000 or less. The annual increase on a $200,000 residence would be $436. There would be no impact for those over 65 who have a freeze on their homestead and make no significant improvements to their properties.
Early voting for the November 7 election date will begin Monday, October 23. For those not currently registered to vote, the last day to register and be eligible to cast a ballot in November is Tuesday, October 10.
More details about these and other elections, along with voting locations, will be published in future editions of The Lakelander Newspaper.
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