The Courier of Montgomery County reports that in order to replace facilities that are aging and provide more room for students, Willis ISD is turning to voters to approve a $115.4 million bond package.
This is the third time around to try to persuade voters to permit spending for these facilities, while building material costs continue to move in an upward direction.
Willis ISD Board President Kyle Hoegemeyer said that since 2020 the district has been considering building a new stadium to take the place of the nearly 50-year-old Yates Stadium. Constructing an aquatic center is also on the building agenda. COVID-19 put a kink in their earlier plans.
After failing to get voter approval for the stadium and aquatic center in May and 2022, the district is hopeful that voters will approve the 2024 bond proposal.
According to Hoegemeyer, Willis ISD is growing at a rapid pace, with an enrollment projection expected to double the number of students from 9,000 to 18,000 in ten years.
Voters partially approved the district’s $218.1 million bond package in May of 2024, which would provide funds to expand Willis High School and construct a new transportation center. Not enough votes came in to support spending for an aquatic center and stadium.
Three propositions are included in the $115.4 million bond package—the student activity center, the stadium and the aquatic center.
