East Central Independent School District (ECISD) is seeking voter approval for a $309 million bond to build three new campuses. The proposal aims to accommodate rapid enrollment growth and provide students with safe, modern learning environments. The bond election will be held on May 3, 2025, following approval by the ECISD Board of Trustees on Tuesday night.
The district has seen a surge in student enrollment, driven by residential development. Projections show that several campuses will exceed their capacity by fall 2027. To address this, the bond would fund the construction of a new high school and two elementary schools, all slated for completion by 2028.
Cost Breakdown:
New High School: $208.87 million
New Elementary School (North): $49.73 million
New Elementary School (South): $50.55 million
Total Bond Proposal: $309.15 million
Parents like Cassandra Barron have witnessed the strain on existing facilities. “My kids attended Tradition Elementary, which was so crowded they had to use portable classrooms,” Barron said. “Now, the middle school is overwhelmed. Sixth graders even have a separate bell schedule because there are too many students.”
Brandon Oliver, ECISD’s director of marketing and communications, highlighted the district’s long-term growth. “Over the next decade, we expect about 44,000 new residents in the area,” Oliver said. “With affordable housing and lower tax rates, our community is growing fast. We need more schools to keep up.”
If the bill is approved, the owners of 280,000 homes would see their taxes increase by $13 per month. However, the new tax rate would not take effect until 2027.
The bond proposal reflects ECISD’s commitment to meeting state standards for space and resources while preparing for future growth. Voters will have the final say on the measure in May 2025.
