Brady PieperAn Independent School District (ISD) in Port Arthur, Texas, has approved the language of a $300 million bond to construct a new middle school, develop a new stadium and improve school facilities districtwide.
The Port Arthur ISD will present the approved 2025 PAISD school bond to eligible residents on May 3 election ballots. The bond, which will not raise taxes, was approved by the ISD’s Board of Trustees last month. The measure seeks to enhance educational and extracurricular opportunities for Port Arthur students while replacing two of the district’s oldest middle schools.
The full bond will seek voter approval on two propositions totaling $300 million in school district funding.
Proposition A will ask voters for the issuance of $222 million in district bonds to construct, purchase or develop enhancements for school facilities. Primarily, the proposition will fund an estimated $173.5 million project that would replace and consolidate the Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln Middle Schools into one new state-of-the-art facility.
If approved, the remaining funding from Proposition A would be used to construct the Career and Technical Education Addition, a Newcomers Addition, the purchase of buses and HVAC and utility infrastructure upgrades at district facilities.
The school bond’s second priority, Proposition B, will propose the issuance of $78 million in bonds to encompass the construction of a new stadium complex. While split into a second proposition to adhere to Texas state law, the bond funding would support the development of a new competition stadium, baseball fields and softball fields.
The proposed stadium’s full cost is not currently stated, but the possible cost will depend on the timing of the project.
Prior to the vote on the PAISD bond, Port Arthur ISD will conduct extensive outreach and engagement sessions with members of the community and local stakeholders. Families, educators and other community members will be encouraged to voice opinions or questions at upcoming town hall meetings.
Notably, the ballot language will read, “This is a Property Tax Increase,” in accordance with Texas state law. However, Port Arthur ISD officials anticipate that there will be no increase in the district’s Interest & Sinking tax rate.
The school bond propositions will appear before voters on May 3. Eligible residents will have the opportunity to vote early from April 22 to 29 or on Election Day. More information on the PAISD school bond is available here.
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