Voters will cast ballots in Waelder ISD bond issue, state and federal races

The Gonzales County Sheriff’s race is not the only issue of local importance on the Nov. 8 general election ballot as voters will determine the fate of two Waelder ISD bond proposals and decide four contested races involving state districts which include Gonzales County as well as a race for U.S. House of Representatives.

Waelder ISD

Waelder ISD is considering two bond proposals totaling a combined $13.745 million that would allow the district to build new campus classrooms and make upgrades to existing structures while repaying some of the district’s previous outstanding debt at a savings.

The first proposition, or Prop A, would call for the issuance of $10.3 million in bonds for “construction, acquisition and equipment of school buildings in the district, including district-wide renovations, and the purchase of necessary sites for school buildings.” 

The bond would utilize the high school’s former gymnasium, which has not been used since it was deemed obsolete and replaced by the new gym in 2008, by upgrading it to a “cafetorium” — a combination cafeteria and auditorium.

Congestion at the current cafeteria — built in the 1960s — requires multiple lunch periods to accommodate the three schools, so building a cafetorium would alleviate concerns while also providing a stage for graduation and performances by the Fine Arts department.

Meanwhile, the district also has use of only one gymnasium between three different schools, so the bond would cover enclosing the current covered pavilion and basketball courts behind the new gym to create a second temperature-controlled gym, allowing at least two schools to use gyms at one time.

The administration offices would move from the current space in the gym to the former cafeteria site, which would be remodeled. This will also allow the entrance to face North C Avenue like the main entrances to the elementary, middle and high schools.

Meanwhile, the district would build, from the ground up, a new six-classroom building that will house classes for fifth and sixth graders.

Proposition B would call for the issuance of $3.445 million in refunding bonds for the purpose of refunding all or a portion of the principal and interest on previously issued maintenance tax obligation bonds. This moves that debt from the maintenance and operations side to the debt service side while hopefully taking advantage of lower interest rates to save the district money over the life of the bond.

Prop A is expected to cost a total of $17,614,888, including estimated interest of $7,314,888. The estimated maximum annual tax increase imposed on a $100,000 residence by Prop A would be about $101.86, assuming an interest rate of about 4.25 percent.

Prop B is expected to cost a total of $6,348,813, including estimated interest of $2,903,813. The estimated maximum annual tax increase imposed on a $100,000 residence by Prop B would be about $20.48, assuming an interest rate of about 4.25 percent. Altogether, that would create an annual tax increase of about $122.34, or just under $10.20 per month.

Waelder ISD tried in May to pass a total combined $13.6 million bond election, but voters rejected the measure by a 165-98 vote that sent officials at this small, rural school district back to the drawing board.

Waelder ISD has only passed two bond issues in the past 55 years; the last was for $3.8 million in 2007 that was used to build the current gymnasium and administrative offices. Prior to that, it had been 1967 since the district had a bond issue.

State, federal races

Four contested races involve state districts which include Gonzales County. The first is the race for District 3 board member on the State Board of Education. Gonzales resident Ken Morrow, the Republican, faces Marisa B. Perez-Diaz, the incumbent Democrat from Converse.

In the District 18 Texas Senate race, incumbent Republican Lois Kolkhorst of Brenham squares off against challenger Josh Tutt, the Democrat who lives in rural Burleson County.

The District 44 State Representative race features incumbent Republican John Kuempel of Seguin against challenger Democrat Robert M. Bohmfalk, also of Seguin. Finally, the 13^th Court of Appeals Place 3 race features challenger Republican Aaron Peña against incumbent Democrat Justice Leticia Hinojosa.

The U.S. House District 27 race is also contested, with incumbent Republican Rep. Michael Cloud of  Victoria being challenged by Democrat Maclovio Perez Jr. of Corpus Christi, a former TV anchor and meteorologist.

There are 10 local races on the ballot which are uncontested. They include County Judge (Patrick Davis), District Clerk (Janice Sutton), County Clerk (Lona Ackman), County Treasurer (Sheryl Barborak), County Surveyor (Seth Fullilove), Precinct 2 Commissioner (Donnie Brzozowski), Precinct 4 Commissioner (Collie Boatright Jr.), Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace (Deidra D. Voigt), Precinct 3 JP (Jesse Almaraz) and Precinct 4 JP (Darryl Becker).