Red Oak ISD board calls May 3 bond election for $213.9 million package

At its meeting, the Red Oak Independent School District Board of Trustees voted 7-0 to call a bond election for May 3, 2025, on a three-proposition package totaling $213,900,000. The board approved an order to place the propositions before voters after a presentation from district staff and public comments in favor of the proposal.

The package is divided into three propositions. Proposition A, the academic proposition, would fund a roughly 90,000-square-foot career and technology education (CTE) building on the high school campus, a 650‑student elementary school (about 85,000 square feet) on district-owned land off Harmony Way, and playground upgrades at all elementary campuses. Proposition B would build a sub-varsity athletic venue with an eight‑lane track, turf field, restrooms, concessions, seating for about 900, lighting, fencing and associated parking and detention (estimated $11.9 million) and would turf the existing baseball and softball fields. Proposition C would renovate Goodloe Stadium — including bleacher replacement to meet code, new restrooms, locker rooms, concessions and a press box, additional parking and LED lighting — at an estimated $46,800,000. The administration reported the full three‑proposition total as $213,900,000.

District staff said the CTE building is intended to consolidate career programs now split between the high school and the middle‑school CTE facility, and would include a kitchen and cafeteria to reduce pressure on the high school lunch schedule. The administration estimates the CTE facility would remove roughly 18–20 classes from the high school and eliminate the need to bus students to the middle school for CTE classes. The new elementary is intended to relieve overcrowding at several schools, especially on the west side of the district.

Board members and staff emphasized anticipated growth in the district and the effect on capacity. The administration cited fall 2024 snapshots showing Red Oak High School enrollment at 2,298 against a functional capacity of 2,165, and noted roughly 700 additional students districtwide in the last four years. Administration materials presented to the board included a district bonding capacity estimate of roughly $215 million and a projection that, if all propositions are approved, the district could sell the bonds and keep the interest-and-sinking (I&S) tax rate at the current level. District staff repeatedly cautioned that while they project no increase in the tax rate to repay bonds, individual homeowners may see higher bills if their property appraisals rise; that is independent of the district’s tax rate decision.

Public supporters spoke during the meeting. Roshandra Pierre, director and administrator of the Red Oak Youth Football Association, told trustees the bond “comes with a tax rate without a tax rate increase” and said the proposals would expand career-technical space, add a third high school gym and renovate Goodloe Stadium. Travis Bruton, a Glen Heights city councilman, voiced support and referenced local housing growth as a reason the schools need additional capacity: “We definitely appreciate it. Our city is growing really leaps and bounds.”

Trustees moved to place the propositions on the May 3 ballot. The motion to call the bond election was made by Brian Sebring, seconded by Johnny Knight, and passed unanimously, 7‑0.

The board and administration also reviewed voter logistics and timelines: the last day to register to vote for the May 3 election would be April 3, early voting was listed for April 22–29, and the last day to apply for a ballot by mail was April 22. The administration reminded residents age 65 and older to file homestead exemptions to preserve the property‑tax ceiling available to that group.

Because of state law and current district bonding capacity, the administration told the board it expects to offer the full package without raising the district I&S tax rate, though it noted selling bonds extends district debt payments and therefore increases total taxes paid over time even if the annual rate remains unchanged. Staff also warned trustees the ongoing 89th Texas Legislature could change tax rules or compression formulas that affect the district’s finances and future bond capacity.

Trustees did not amend the propositions at the meeting. The board’s resolution to call the election will be posted on the district bond information page along with detailed slide materials and facility plans the administration presented at the meeting.

Votes at a glance: Motion to call bond election on May 3, 2025 — mover: Brian Sebring; second: Johnny Knight; outcome: approved 7‑0.