HOUSTON – Voters approved a $1.89 billion bond for the Houston Independent School District to rebuild several high schools and make other building and technology improvements.
HISD's bond will cost the average homeowner $70 per year in school taxes by 2017.
"Winning is one thing, but winning by 69 percent has just got people on top of the world," HISD Superintendent Terry Grier said.
Austin, Bellaire, Davis, DeBakey, Eastwood, Furr, Jordan, Lamar, Lee, Madison, Milby, Sam Houston, Sterling, Washington, Worthing and Yates high schools, along with the High School for Performing and Visual Arts, the North Early College and South Early College will get new campuses.
"It's going to take a while, I think about 2014, before construction work starts because designing and getting permits takes 18 to 24 months," school district spokesman Jason Spencer said.
The school district said the rebuilding order will be based on need.
The bond will also pay for building three new elementary schools, converting five elementary schools into kindergarten through eighth-grade campuses, renovating four high schools, partially replacing four high schools and replacing or completing two middle schools. Some of the money will be used for district-wide technology improvements, replacing regional field houses and improving athletic facilities, renovating middle school restrooms and district-wide safety and security improvements.