School Bond 2023: Prop A Includes 6 Campus Rebuilds and 2 School Redesigns

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Aldine ISD voters will go to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 7, to vote on three propositions as part of the district’s $1.8 billion bond referendums. Proposition A includes the rebuilding of six campuses across the district.

In the spring of 2023, Aldine ISD assembled a Long-Range Planning Committee (LRPC) to address the district’s future needs. The LRPC was co-chaired by Chief of Staff Sheleah Reed, Chief Financial Officer Stan Osborne, and Chief of Operations Fred Washington and comprised of numerous community stakeholders. Committee members received a report from PBK Architects, who provided an Educational Suitability Assessment (ESA) that covered all of the district’s 84 schools. The ESA found that 25% of Aldine ISD schools were over 50 years old.

Campus Rebuilds

After careful consideration and study, committee members recommended that as part of Proposition A, six Aldine ISD schools would be completely rebuilt. The six schools that are recommended for a rebuild are:

• Aldine High School (opened in 1956, 67 years old)
• Carver High School (opened in 1954, 69 years old)
• Aldine Middle School (opened in 1948, 75 years old)
• Hambrick Middle School (opened in 1961, 62 years old)
• Orange Grove Elementary School (opened in 1947, 76 years old)
• Odom Elementary School (opened in 1967, 56 years old)

The rebuilds would develop larger schools to accommodate a larger population and be rebuilt at their present locations. The rebuilds would be phased in over time, meaning not all six campuses would be rebuilt simultaneously.

Washington said the committee devoted much time considering the facilities assessment and options before selecting the six campuses that would be rebuilt should voters Proposition A.

• The average age of the school buildings affected by this bond is over 50 years old. Aldine ISD’s master facilities plan has identified a number of schools past their useful life.
• Older facilities have mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems and equipment reaching their useful life’s end. These systems often have obsolete parts, break more frequently, and cost more to maintain, taking money out of the classroom.
• State standards have evolved over the years, and some of our oldest schools have classrooms and other spaces that are too small or inadequate in light of these standards.

“Age was a factor in the selection, but it wasn’t the only factor. After input from the Long-Range Planning Committee, district leaders, and stakeholders, each project was selected because of its positive impact on the district and, more importantly, our students,” Washington said. “These selections were based not only on the facilities assessment and demographic data but also on continuing the work initiated in the 2015 Bond ($798 million). The projects in Bond 2023 would impact every campus.

Bond 2023 has three propositions — Prop A, B, and C — that voters will vote on this election season.

Campus Redesigns

In some cases, the district only looks to rebuild or renovate part of the building. AISD seeks to make better use of the school space, including older campuses like Eisenhower and MacArthur high schools. Although safe for occupancy, the buildings have major structural issues that need to be fixed for the student population housed and designed for today’s modern learning environments. Campus redesign projects include the following:

• MacArthur High School (opened in 1966, 57 years old)
• Eisenhower High School (opened in 1972, 51 years old)

Visit the Bond 2023 Webpage

Visit the Bond 2023 webpage, AldineISD.org/Bond2023, which shows the most current information and updates, including individual projects, renderings, a calendar of community meetings, a tax calculator, FAQs with information about voting, and a way to ask questions and receive answers.

The district held Bond 2023 Community Meetings in September and October, where AISD leaders and LRPC members shared information and received feedback directly from the community.

Voting Information

Registered voters in Aldine ISD can vote at any polling place in Harris County.

Early Voting by Personal Appearance

• Monday, Oct. 23, through Saturday, Oct. 28, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 29, from noon to 7 p.m.
• Monday, Oct. 30, through Friday, Nov. 3, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Election Day

• Tuesday, Nov. 7, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.