By Kevin Jefferies
Paris, Texas – The Paris Independent School District took less that 30 minutes Monday to decide to call for a $53.8 million bond election under three different propositions. One proposition calls for $37.5 million for a new high school and renovation of existing facilities. Another, which depends on the first, calls for an additional $10.3 million for further renovations if the district qualifies to have that amount reimbursed by the state. The third has the same qualifiers as the second, but calls for $6 million for a new multipurpose stadium.
The district's tax rate is set to drop 33 cents under new public school financing plans, but would remain even if the bond issues are approved by voters.
Paris joins the Commerce ISD in calling for a bond election. Commerce approved a $14 million bond election Monday to replace A.C. Williams Elementary.
Many districts in Texas are calling for bond issues in the May elections. Caddo Mills, Emory-Rains, Canton, and other districts are also holding bond elections in May.