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Mesquite ISD facilities committee recommends $600 million bond to address safety and capacity
Summary
A facilities committee appointed by Mesquite ISD presented a recommendation for a roughly $600 million bond package that would fund storm shelters, security upgrades, several campus expansions and consolidation of aging elementary schools; committee members emphasized a conservative tax impact of about 1¢ on the interest-and-sinking rate.
The Mesquite Independent School District’s facilities committee on Monday presented a recommended capital package that would address aging buildings, campus safety and overcrowding with an estimated bond capacity of about $600,000,000.
“After spending some time discussing these decision points, the committee was asked to vote electronically and anonymously…and by landslide, we selected the options that meet these three key points,” said James Huckabee, a committee member and former MISD employee, summarizing the group’s consensus on priorities. Presenters said the bond proposal would be sized so the district would consider no more than a 1¢ increase on the I&S (interest-and-sinking) tax rate if the board calls an election.
The committee’s recommendation highlights security and safety work—secure front entries and enhanced security technology at two middle schools, relocating elementary playgrounds closer to buildings, adding perimeter fencing and installing approximately 10 new storm shelters across campuses. Presenters also proposed a pre-K center to relieve growth in the Horn High School feeder area, an expansion of Horn’s field house, and the consolidation of two older elementary campuses identified as Motley and Lowenstein. The package would also fund roof replacements, reduce about 53 instructional portables and replace aging below‑ground fuel tanks at the transportation center (reported sizes: 12,000–20,000 gallons each).
The presentation included community engagement results: the district mailed a postcard to more than 5,000 likely voters and reported 863 survey responses. Student and parent committee participants said they used a prioritization protocol to sort projects by urgency and impact; student presenter Lexi Benuelos told the board the survey and committee meetings informed the recommended options.
Board members praised the process and representation, noting the committee included parents, students, business owners and principals. Trustee questions focused on tax impact and timing; staff estimated the average homeowner would pay roughly $30 per year if the board pursued the full package at the cited 1¢ tax increase, depending on property value and homestead exemptions. The board did not vote on a bond call Monday; presenters said the meeting was informational and that the board would review the recommendation at a future date.
The facilities recommendation was presented as information only; no formal action to call a bond election was taken.
