Thursday, April 25, 2024
Sam Houston
FROM MY FRONT PORCH
Sam Houston is the publisher of the Hood County News. He is also an actor, author, playwright, performer and entertainment producer/promoter.
My Dad liked to say the easiest job in the world is the one you do not have to do. What he meant was many jobs can look easy to complete, especially when you are not the one who must do the work. From the outside looking in, getting hay bales out of the field is simple: all you must do is pick up the bales and throw them up on the trailer, drive to the barn and then unload them. For those of us who have “bucked” hay on a 90-degree day and handled several hundred 60-to-80-pound bales, the work is a whole lot harder than what it seems.
Similarly, determining a plan of action for the GISD over the next few years would seem simple. Figure out how many children you anticipate GISD is going to have in attendance, understand the capacity of your current facilities, and then build or remodel for what you need. Of course, creating such a plan is not that simple. It takes thoughtful reflection, community engagement and understanding, and then voters must approve a plan by way of a bond issue.
Currently, GISD has 7,735 students. This reflects a 34.6% growth in the district’s population since 2010. Think of that, growth by more than one-third in 10 years. Conservative estimates say GISD will have 10,429 students by 2030 and that is another 25.84% growth in addition to the 34.6 % growth already experienced. Our population growth started some time ago and it does not appear it is going to stop anytime soon, meaning the needs of GISD are real and pressing.
Dr. Glenn and the GISD staff have brought in many stakeholders from the community to receive their input on the best course of action for GISD going forward. With the collaboration of the community a plan is being formulated and I feel comfortable in saying a bond issue is on the horizon.
I know the words “bond issue” scare people and makes them unhappy because for some it will mean higher taxes. Nobody, including myself, likes higher taxes, but frankly if a bond is necessary, it could not come at a better time. Interest rates are historically low, and I do not know anyone who does not believe interest rates will go up in the future. By acting now, it means whatever bond is approved it will cost less than waiting till some point in the future when rates are higher
Has anyone done any building in the past year or so? The price of all construction materials is going up and there is no end in sight. Whatever building project is started for GISD, the longer it is put off the more the project will cost. Acting now saves significant money in the long run and keeps the overall cost to the taxpayer at a minimum.
Godley, Burleson, Crowley, Alvarado and 24 other similar school districts in our area all have a higher tax rate than GISD. Our school board and leadership have proven themselves to be good stewards of taxpayer money. Even if GISD suggests and passes a bond issue, it is most likely our property tax rates will still be in the bottom half of comparative school districts. Nobody likes higher taxes, but almost without exception if you lived somewhere other than within GISD, the rate would be higher.
I am thrilled to be part of this project. I am excited to see parents, business owners, homeowners, retirees, and teachers come together to try and find solutions that are prudent, cost effective and that will serve our children. Once it is determined, it is going to be exciting to present the finalized plan to the public. I think the announcement will make you all proud of where GISD is headed and the positives it will bring to our community.
Thought for the day: Obstacles are only obstacles if you see them as obstacles. They can also be called opportunities.
Until next time
sam@hcnews.com | 817-573-7066, ext. 260
