JACKSONVILLE —
Jacksonville Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Joe Wardell presented JISD’s present situation in relation to an upcoming bond election to the Jacksonville Rotary Club Wednesday during the regular club lunch meeting. The main point of conversation was the school’s plans for campus improvement within the district and what would be needed to accomplish these plans.
Wardell described how the district came to the decision to try to pass a bond election.
“A facilities committee was formed which included members of the community and representatives from the school district,” Wardell told Rotary members. “I believe four of you were on that committee. That is where the recommendation for our bond issue came from.”
Wardell said the committee stated in order to enact a short term plan for, among other improvements, two new elementary school buildings, the district would need to pass a $49.865 million bond issue at a $.19 per $100 valuation tax increase.
“The cost to the average taxpayer would be about $138.09 per year,” Wardell said. “If you are 65 or older then the taxes on your homestead are frozen and you won’t see an increase here.”
He also said a tax rate calculator is available at www.jisd.org for those interested in what their tax rates will be should the bond issue pass.
One member of the Rotary asked Wardell if opposition to the bond election had declared itself yet and Wardell said everything he has heard so far has been positive.
“The Jacksonville Economic Development Corporation, the city council, the chamber of commerce and the Jacksonville Education Foundation have come forward in support of us,” Wardell said.
District Press Relations Representative Marc McCloud said the Rotary meeting is one of many such presentations lined up for Wardell and other school representatives.
Following the meeting, Wardell said he got a good response from the Rotary crowd.
“It’s a good group,” he said. “They are supportive of our schools.”
He added the district currently has about 25 scheduled presentations to various groups, though Wardell also said he won’t be the speaker for every meeting.
“We’ll do it for any other group that wants us to be there,” he said.
Local News
Related Photos
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Dr. Joe Wardell speaks to Rotary members about the upcoming JISD bond election and what it would enable the school district to do if passed. He noted the tax rate JISD wants is less than school tax rates of districts such as Tyler and Henderson. Progress photo by Nathan Straus
Discussion
JISD explains bond election
Wardell speaks at Rotary about details of upcoming vote
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