Based on voter feedback and the recommendation of a citizens Long-Range Facility Planning Committee, the Bridgeport ISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously on Aug. 14 to call a bond election for Nov. 7. The bond package includes three separate propositions totaling $145 million and includes a proposed project checklist including the following items:

Proposition A for $128 million includes renovations to Bridgeport Middle School; safety & security upgrades districtwide; maintenance/capital improvements for aging facilities districtwide; improvements to Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs; construction of a new, second elementary school to replace Bridgeport Intermediate School; improvements and equipment for the high school fine arts program including a high school auditorium; school bus replacements and the purchase of land for future school sites. 

Additionally, Proposition B for $11 million proposes renovations to Bull Memorial Stadium, including restrooms, concessions and turf replacement; improvements to tennis courts, lights and restrooms, and the installation of turf at the softball/baseball fields to help reduce overall daily maintenance of grass fields.

Proposition C is for $6 million and includes technology projects to provide classroom devices and infrastructure replacements and upgrades. 

“I am grateful to members of our Long-Range Facility Planning committee who committed so much time and attention, especially over the summer months, to listening to voter feedback, studying enrollment projections and our financial situation, and assessing the condition of our school buildings in an effort to revise the bond package and bring it back before voters,” said Superintendent Dr. Amy Ellis. “We will do our best to inform the community about the three bond propositions and answer any questions they may have before they participate in this election.” 

After voters rejected the $185 million May 6 Bond proposal, the district administration and Long-Range Facility Planning Committee launched a Listen & Learn campaign. The committee and administration administered a survey to all voters and community members and built the recommended bond projects from the results of that survey based on direct feedback from BISD citizens. In addition to the work conducted by the Long-Range Facility Planning Committee during the 2022-23 school year, the committee also met several times this summer to review findings from the community feedback and reassess their recommendations to the school board. 

Overall, voters thought the $185 million proposed bond in May was too much. They also did not support the covered, outdoor turf field for athletic and fine arts students, and they felt forced to choose an all or nothing approach because the bond was presented as a single proposition. A large percentage of those surveyed, however, believe BISD should address maintenance and capital improvements for aging facilities, prioritize safety and security and continue facility and equipment support for programs like Career and Technical Education courses (CTE) and the Agricultural Science program.

The revised November 2023 bond package addresses the voters’ concerns. The package is $40 million less than the May proposed package, is divided up into three propositions that will allow voters to decide each proposition separately, and removes the outdoor covered turf field from the project list. The smaller overall bond cost, coupled with expected Homestead Exemption tax relief from Senate Bill 2 means that voters can expect an overall tax rate decrease if some or all of the bond propositions are approved.

To be eligible to participate in the November 2023 Bridgeport ISD bond election, you must be a resident of the district and registered to vote by Tuesday, Oct. 10. Click here to register to vote. Early voting at any Wise County voting location will begin Monday, Oct. 23 and end on Friday, Nov. 3, and Election Day is on Tuesday, Nov. 7.