The Northeast Independent School District board voted to call a $495 million bond election to finance maintenance and capital projects across the district, approving an order to place the measure on the November ballot by a 6-1 margin.

District staff and members of the facility steering committee presented the bond package as the product of a months-long review that used a third-party facilities assessment by Gordian. The district said the largest portion of the package is targeted at maintenance and “needs” identified in that review — including HVAC, roofing, building systems and technology replacement — rather than discretionary “wants.” The order calls for five separate propositions on the ballot, with wording the district will submit to election officials for translation and printing.

Superintendent Doctor Micah and Chief Financial Officer Miss Caldwell told trustees and the public the steering committee spent December through June reviewing facility needs and vetting priorities. “We’re coming to you as the property manager to say, folks, the property that you own…has some problems,” Doctor Micah said, urging trustees to consider long-term upkeep.

Members of the public spoke both for and against calling the election. Parent and taxpayer John Melendez urged caution, saying, “This isn’t free money. It’s a loan…Before asking voters to approve nearly half a billion dollars in new debt, we owe it to the community to ensure that we’re funding needs, not luxuries.” Other speakers pushed for parity in device replacement at alternative campuses and for clear policies that ensure new equipment and lighting are used and maintained.

Trustees debated the optics of asking taxpayers for a large bond while the district continues to carry debt from prior bond programs. Trustee discussion covered the district’s existing debt load (district staff indicated outstanding bonds are a little north of $1 billion after previous refundings), the difference between renovation age and campus age in the Gordian data, and the mechanics of issuing and financing bonds. District staff and the board’s financial advisers said the proposed package is within the district’s capacity at current tax rates and that the order sets a maximum expected interest rate for planning purposes; staff emphasized that actual issuance and timing would be managed later to secure the best market terms.

After public comment and trustee questions, Trustee Thompson moved to adopt the order calling the bond election; Trustee Villareal seconded. The motion passed 6 to 1.

The order tasks district staff with preparing ballot language, translating the ballot, posting required notices and conducting outreach; communications staff told trustees they will create a bond website, FAQ materials, cluster-level fact sheets and a schedule of community meetings if the board proceeds. Trustees requested a detailed outreach plan and repeated assurances that devices and supports for alternative campuses will be addressed.

Speakers who addressed the board included facility steering committee members, parents and district stakeholders; several urged more outreach before the vote, while others defended the package as addressing urgent infrastructure needs. The board’s action authorizes the district to proceed with the election timeline and administrative steps required to place the propositions before voters in November.