Wichita Falls ISD bond election could be called early next month

WICHITA FALLS, Texas (TNN) - The Wichita Fall ISD is one step closer to calling a bond election to fund recreational facilities for their two new high school locations.

The district held a bond election in November 2020, it was split into two parts. One to fund two new high schools, the other to pay for the recreational facilities. The second one failed but the district can choose to call a second election for May 2021.

“We have to call the bond election for May by February 12 and so we’ll probably do that at our February 9 work session,” Superintendent Michael Kuhrt said.

The exact price tag of that bond still has to be decided.

Superintendent Kuhrt suggested in Monday night’s school board meeting that if the cost is higher than expected, the district could pay the extra amount.

“We had in Prop B 13.76 million dollars and so yeah if we think the planning number is around that we’ll be good to go, if we think its a little more than that we might have to obligate some district funds if the board so chooses,” Kuhrt said.

Kuhrt adds there is a chance that money from Prop A could pay for part of the project too.

We know we can’t build a field out of Prop A but what about the support stuff that comes with it, electricity, sidewalks, water,” Kuhrt said.

Blueprints still have to be drawn up but plans for the extra curricular facilities have gotten larger.

“We think we are going to try and move toward more of a competition field so that way our baseball, softball, tennis would definitely be competition areas,” Kuhrt said.

AT the school board meeting there was good news for district staff.

A retention incentive got the green light which would provide extra money for people who choose to continue working for the district. Full time staff will get $1,000, part time gets $500.

That money comes in two installments, the first in March and second in August. Substitute staff will be compensated based on how much they’ve worked in the district.

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