MABANK–Following the previous recommendation of the district’s Fall 2021 Facility Advisory Committee, the Mabank ISD Board of Trustees unanimously called a bond election for May 6. If approved, the three propositions totaling $119 million would fund a new early childhood center, a career and technical education facility at the high school and would provide upgrades to athletic facilities.
The district’s Facility Advisory Committee of approximately 30 people, representing a cross-section of the community met numerous times during the Fall of 2021 to identify district priorities for the future. This committee of parents, grandparents, alumni, MISD staff, retirees, business owners, elected officials and law enforcement worked to identify districtwide facility challenges and reached a consensus recommendation for the Board of Trustees regarding a possible bond election. After touring district facilities, reviewing demographic data, learning about school finance and MISD’s historical tax rate and speaking with administration about academic focus and long-range plans, committee members reached consensus on a list of prioritized needs.  
During the fall of 2022, Administration and the Board of Trustees reassessed the district’s facility conditions, campus capacity, educational vision and priorities and financial capacity.  Their analysis concluded that the Facility Advisory Committee’s recommendations to build an early childhood center, career and technical education facility and a baseball/softball complex continue to be relevant and required to address the lack of classroom space and priorities within the district.  Additionally, they identified upgrades to Panther Stadium and the tennis courts as priorities.  
“I sincerely appreciate the service of our Facility Advisory Committee and want to thank each and every member for helping us plan and prepare for the future,” said Superintendent Brad Koskelin. “Their proposal of priorities recommended to Mabank ISD Board of Trustees is the basis for this called bond election. If approved, this bond will increase academic and career training options, reduce overcrowding in our elementary campuses, provide additional classroom space at the high school and will centralize our CTE program.”
MISD voters will see on their ballots May 6 three propositions totaling $119 million.  The projected monthly tax impact will be approximately $18.32 a month (based on a $200,000 home) for all three propositions. However, there will be no tax increase for taxpayers 65 years of age and older who have applied for and received the “age 65 freeze of school homestead taxes.”
Proposed projects include:
• New early childhood center housing the Child Development Center, Head Start, Pre-K and Kindergarten. This will create additional classroom space at each elementary campus to accommodate the increase in student growth. 
• Career and Technical Education facility at the high school. This will create 13 additional classrooms at the high school, which is currently at capacity.
• Baseball and softball complex and tennis courts.
• Panther Stadium improvements including two locker rooms, concession/restroom renovation, fencing upgrades, and field drainage replacement.
If anyone has questions or would like more information regarding the bond election, they may call MISD administration at (903) 880-1302 or send an email to bondinfo@mabankisd.net.