The Abilene Independent School District’s $87.7 million bond passes with a 70 percent majority, receiving a landslide victory.
Brandon Mast, a Copper Creek chef and Abilene homeowner, pays property taxes that are now affected by the new AISD bond.
“I really don’t mind the new bond,” Mast said. “It will cost me about $30 a year and will increase the value of education in Abilene. I’m glad they are fixing up schools around here. They need it.”
The bond will pay for new elementary schools in AISD, security updates to existing schools, the conversion of Jane Long Elementary School into an Early Childhood Center and other high-priority needs across the Abilene school district. Property taxes are paying for the new bond. The average home in Abilene has a value of $92,695 and the new bond will increase the average homeowner’s taxes by only $48.80 a year.
Katlin Sehres, junior elementary education major from San Antonio, said she is glad the vote went in the bonds’ favor.
“I think the bond is a good idea but I understand how homeowners may be concerned with the rise in taxes,” Sehres said. “In the end, though, the bond will benefit the community because parents and homeowners will see improvements in the local school system and the schools that their children are or will be attending.”
Voting took place from Oct. 21 – Nov. 5. Now that the bond has passed, renovations may begin as soon as the New Year.
