HOUSTON – Voters will soon decide on HISD’s controversial $4.4 billion bond proposal.
The proposal known as “Renew HISD” is one of the largest bond packages in Texas history.
The district says the funds are crucial for upgrades like heating, A/C, security and expanding education programs.
Devin Adams, the principal at Fleming Middle School showed KPRC 2 what some of the upgrades on his campus might look like.
“One of the first things, the kind of major thing that is on the proposal for Fleming is a safety and security upgrade,” said Adams. “This is our entry gate, so once anybody buzzes in, this is the campus. So, a student, I mean, an adult, anyone could make a decision, I don’t want to go into the main office as I should. I can go directly up these stairs and have access to students,” Adams said.
Adams said the campus has major water damage, A/C issues and has not seen any major upgrades or improvement since it was built in 1966.
“So, if the bond were to pass, then there would be the expectation that this would be a complete rebuild, a completely new building,” said Adams.
Despite some of the issues at Fleming and other HISD campuses, not everyone is on board with the bond.
Ruth Kravetz, a Co-Founder of Community Voices for Public Education told KPRC 2 Mike Miles can’t be trusted with money.
“He has demonstrated that when he has given money, he uses it for things that aren’t closest to students,” Kravetz said. “I’m afraid that they will re-purpose the money for other purposes.
The district said if the bill is passed, they will begin construction in 2025.