BELTON (April 29, 2012)--With overcrowding in elementary and high schools, Belton ISD is hoping voters approve next month's
$60 million bond election to quell the problem.
But not everyone is on board.
"We don't think it's a good idea to be spending that much money at one time," said John Fulwiler, a member of the Concerned Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility, a group that opposes the bond issue.
"We're all for better education for the children, but we think it makes more sense to build one school now," he said.
The plan: build two new elementary schools, a new middle school and move high school students to the current middle school campus.
The district estimates the bond would raise taxes by about $117 a year on a $100,000 home, while seniors over 65 could request an exemption through the county.
"We can't put it off," said Jay Taggart, a former school district employee who was part of the committee that recommended the bond plan to the Board of Trustees.
"To do the three schools at this time, it just seems like the most economical and conservative way to do it," he said.
Early voting began April 30, and election day is May 12.
