Magnolia ISD trustees call May 2 bond election focused on school seats after November loss

Magnolia Independent School District trustees voted Feb. 9 to order a bond election for May 2, 2026, to fund a new high school, two elementary schools, land purchases, new buses, and safety and campus improvements intended to relieve near-term overcrowding.

Administrators and board members said the single-proposition measure is a trimmed version of a larger package voters rejected in November. Superintendent Jason Bullock and trustees said they heard community concerns about the previous package’s size and messaging and narrowed the proposal to items they consider urgently needed.

In public comment, resident and donor Glenn Addison urged voters to approve the bond and described overcrowding he witnessed decades ago. "All it is gonna include is seats for kiddos. No fluff," Addison said, adding, "I hope that doesn't happen again in this district," referring to students having to use makeshift space in a bus barn.

Board members also cited turnout as a factor. One trustee said the district found that 87% of parents did not vote in the November election and urged organizers to increase outreach so more families participate in May.

The board approved a motion to call the bond election and authorized district administration to take steps to effectuate the action; the motion was moved by Sonia, seconded by Dasha and passed by voice vote. The motion as read in the meeting referred to a "not-to-exceed" dollar amount in the motion text, but the exact figure was unclear on the meeting record.

What happens next: District administrators will finalize election materials, voter information and outreach plans before the May ballot. The board and staff framed the May proposition as focused on immediate capacity needs rather than longer‑range or athletic projects deferred from the earlier proposition.