Athens ISD voters overwhelmingly approved the district’s $121.5 million bond proposal on Saturday, May 3, with 61.1% of the 1,238 ballots cast in favor, according to unofficial results. The bond — which comes with no increase to AISD’s debt service tax rate — paves the way for improvements that will benefit every campus and grade level.
“Today is a great day to be a Hornet,” said Superintendent Dr. Janie Sims. “On behalf of the Board of Trustees and the entire Athens ISD family, I want to express our heartfelt thanks to the voters for approving this bond. Your support represents a huge investment in the future of our students and our community. … Thank you for trusting us to continue making Athens ISD the educational heart of East Texas.”
The bond package includes funding for a new early childhood center for all PreK3-4 and kindergarten students, and at Athens High School, a new wing for PINNACLE Early College High School students, a new 1,200-seat auditorium, and renovation of the library. Also planned is a new ag science barn, renovations to the AHS annex gym to better support dance and cheer programs, and traffic and facility upgrades at Athens Middle School — including a new construction classroom, new gym bleachers and flooring, and outdoor space improvements. Each elementary campus will receive updates as well, including window replacements, general repairs, and cafeteria renovations at Bel Air and South Athens. A covered activity center at AHS will provide shaded relief for students who participate in outdoor extracurricular programs.
“We are committed to being responsible stewards of these resources, ensuring every dollar is used wisely,” said Sims.
While the total bond amount is $121.5 million, the district’s debt service tax rate will not increase. This is possible because of significant growth in the taxable value of property within Athens ISD, allowing the district to issue bonds while keeping the tax rate steady. That growth is driven by multiple factors, including the subdivision of large tracts into smaller ones, the sale and development of residential lots, commercial construction, and the appreciation of existing properties.
Typically, major construction projects following a bond approval take between 18 to 24 months to complete. The district will soon begin developing project timelines and will share regular updates as planning transitions into construction. To see conceptual drawings and placements of several of the proposed projects, as well as an example of a covered activity center, click here.