Mike R. Waldrip, Superintendent Frisco Independent School District | Official website
The Frisco ISD Board of Trustees is considering a five-year bond proposed by the District’s Bond Exploration Committee.
At a workshop on Monday, Trustees heard from members of the bond committee, District officials, and an outside financial adviser on the committee’s recommendations. The bond committee met 11 times over 10 months, touring Frisco ISD campuses and delving into demographics, facility maintenance, and teaching and learning. The group included 34 parents and community members, 18 staff members, and nine students. They learned about the District’s long-term facility plan, discussed possible projects, and ultimately developed a recommended bond program with projects impacting every campus in FISD.
Trustees shared questions and feedback after the presentation and will further discuss the committee’s recommendations in a follow-up workshop on Monday, Aug. 5.
The committee faced a different task compared to previous years. As FISD’s growth has slowed, priorities have shifted from building new schools to maintaining existing facilities. A key piece of the proposed bond is refreshing aging schools. The recommended bond includes a refresh for 20 Frisco ISD campuses that will be at or near 25 years old by 2035.
The committee recommended that Frisco ISD renovate campuses every 25 years to align with the life-cycle replacement of major mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems while also modernizing spaces for students and staff.
The proposed bond program is broken into three propositions:
- General bond - $986 million: This includes 25-year campus refreshes, a Staley Middle School replacement, furniture and equipment, general facility maintenance, paving and landscape repairs, safety and security upgrades, transportation needs, and turf for baseball and softball fields.
- Technology bond - $88.2 million: This covers replacement devices for staff and students on a five-year rotation schedule as well as network updates and additional wireless access points.
- Athletics bond - $11.2 million: This would fund the construction of a tennis center with 16 outdoor tennis courts, spectator seating, concessions areas, and restrooms.
State law requires districts to have separate propositions for technology equipment other than infrastructure and recreational facilities other than gyms or play areas.
Upcoming dates include:
- Monday, Aug. 5 at 9 a.m.: Follow-up bond workshop and tax rate discussion.
- Monday, Aug. 19 at 6:30 p.m.: Board vote on possible bond election and tax rate.
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