VIDOR, Texas — Vidor Independent School District will look to make improvements on several campuses and demolish the junior high with a $98.4 million bond on the ballot this November.
Vidor ISD Superintendent, Dr. Jay Killgo says that it is time the district restructures their schools to meet the needs of their students.
"Over the last 20 years we've dropped by over 15 hundred students, and our major problem is Vidor Junior High. It's an old, outdated unsafe campus," said Killgo.
With the schools enrollment declining Vidor ISD is hoping to consolidate campuses.
"Close Vidor Junior High. Move, make Vidor middle school, change it from a 5th-6th campus to a 6th-8th campus. We would also move 5th grade to our 3 elementary schools," said Killgo.
Gary Harris is a proud Vidor Graduate and he thinks the bond is a good Idea.
"I think it's time to upgrade a lot of the school, and combine it like it was when I was going to school. Junior high was 6th grade through 8th grade. We didn't have no middle school, so we went straight from Junior high right into high school," said Harris.
The bond plans to add 5th grade wings to all elementary schools.
"This bond proposal would upgrade current wings. So we would get rid of old, replace it with new, and add classrooms," said Killgo.
Similar upgrades will happen at the middle school.
"We need to add a field house to it for athletics. Because those students in grades 7th and 8th participate in athletics," said Killgo.
The rest of the 98.4 million would go towards revamping the high school. However, not all Vidor residents are sold on the bond and want to look into it more.
"I think before I vote yes or neigh. I would rather look into it. I know I have until November so that's good," said Vidor homeowner Judy Dukate.
Dr. Killgo says that if any residents home is valued at over $117 thousand, the bond will increase their taxes.
"The impact would be around $7.50 per month for the average tax payer," said Killgo.
Vidor ISD is holding a campus tour Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. before a bond proposal presentation at 6 p.m. inside Vidor Junior High.