Odessans for Education will hold a news conference at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Complex Community Federal Credit Union Operations & Training Building Community Room, 4519 E. 51st St.
The news conference will announce Odessans for Education’s support for the ECISD Propositions A and B passage in the May 7 bond election.
Proposition A for $215,255,000 would include maintenance and life-cycle repairs/replacement for school district buildings for $130,255,000; construction of a new Career & Technical Education Center for $70 million; and classroom technology upgrades for $15 million.
Proposition B for $183,000,000 would be for a new comprehensive high school at Yukon and Faudree roads.
Designed for 2,500-2,800 students, it would cover an estimated 400,000 square feet and include furniture, fixtures, and equipment.
The ECISD website says, district leaders anticipate this bond will create a tax rate increase of 15 cents and, for a home with a taxable value of $100,000, would equate to a tax increase of approximately $12 per month. There would be no tax increase on residence homesteads for taxpayers 65 and older, as state law dictates that the tax rate and the amount paid, on a residence, are frozen when that person turns 65 years old, applies for the exemption and is approved by the Ector County Appraisal District. ECISD gives local taxpayers a 20% Homestead Exemption, which is the maximum allowed by law.
Early Voting for the May 7 election will run from April 25 through May 3 and be held only at the Ector County Courthouse Annex, 1010 E. Eighth St.
On Feb. 15, the Ector County ISD Board of Trustees unanimously voted to call for a $398,255,000 bond election to be held on May 7.
The school board vote to approve two separate propositions came in response to recommendations from a Community Bond Committee that worked for six months evaluating the conditions of all ECISD facilities. In January, members of that Community Bond Committee presented their findings to Trustees identifying four main areas of focus. The school board used those recommendations in shaping its decision to move forward with a bond election. The proposed bond projects would include:
Speakers at Thursday’s news conference are expected to include Lorraine Perryman, Chris Cole and ECISD Superintendent Scott Muri.
“Odessans for Education supports the passage of Propositions A and B and voting for our kids and our community. During the press conference, the group will provide details on Propositions A and B, how the needs in the community-driven bond proposal were determined and why they believe now is the time to vote for our foundation, facilities and future,” the news release said.
