Belton ISD bond a hot topic Posted On: Tuesday, Nov. 3 2009 05:09 AM By Jade Ortego
Killeen Daily Herald

BELTON – Voting concludes today on a contested $29 million bond election for a new Belton middle school.

The bond, planned to address current and projected overcrowding, is a reworking of a failed $38.9 million May bond. The original bond issue, which included funds for high school athletic facilities, lost by 85 votes.

This time, Belton Independent School District board president Randy Pittenger said, voter turnout is much higher and appears to be in favor of the bond.

Some Belton residents expressed concern that the new bond issue is vaguely worded, and would allow the district to spend money on types of projects that were weeded out, or would permit the district to borrow additional money.

"The wording is the legal wording required when you do a bond issue," Pittenger said.

"(The $29 million) is a total estimated cost for a single school," he said.

The bond includes a cap at $29 million, he said, and if the school ultimately costs less than the budgeted amount, the remaining funds would be dispersed among the district's other schools for various needs. Only one facility will be built, however.

Some find the potential tax increase of 5.4 cents per $100 assessed valuation too much, even if for just one school.

"We're being taxed to death," Belton resident Chuck Ellis said. "They have the money. And if they don't have it they've squandered it," he said. Ellis said since he is over 65, his taxes are frozen.

He is concerned, he said, because the bond was voted down in May. "Why can't you say, 'No,' and it means, 'No,'?"

Ellis said current school grounds should be enlarged to accommodate need, or that a recently abandoned administrative building could be converted into a school.

Martha Berry, of Belton, also said the district has enough facilities already, and the money would be better spent renovating them. "Miller Heights (Elementary) needs help over here," she said. Berry, who has a child in Belton High School, said the bond would cost people who have no children.

"What about those with no children or have raised children or older, low-income people?" she asked. "Their taxes are going to be raised. I think we have enough with the schools we have now."

In August, the district applied for a federal loan through the Build America Bond program to fund $9 million of the project. If the bond is passed, Pittenger said, the government would subsidize the interest on $9 million. The tax impact would then be less on voters, he said.

"We're very cognizant of the tax impact to voters. We're as efficient as possible," BISD Superintendent Vivian Baker said.

In a district that has been growing by at least 300 students a year, administrators believe that the project is not optional.

"There are consequences for overcrowded schools," Pettinger said. "I don't think people in our community want those consequences."

If the bond doesn't pass, the district would rewrite the bond until it passes, he said.

"The need isn't going to go away," he said.

Pettinger and Baker are optimistic that the bond will pass today.

"This is about providing the best resources for our children," Baker said. "The voter turnout has been good in the Belton area. We have a good voice," Baker said.

Contact Jade Ortego at jortego@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7553.