ORANGEFIELD, Texas — Orangefield ISD wants voters to approve a nearly $43 million bond.
If it passes all three of the districts campuses would get upgrades, most being made to the high school.
Orange County is seeing a major boom in business and population growth. This money would help the district address the growing demand for space.
The bond would address classroom sizes and safety concerns.
The $42.9 million bond will be on the upcoming November 7, 2023 ballot.
After a steering committee toured the campuses they recommended these upgrades to classrooms and security according to Orangefield Superintendent Shaun Mcalpin.
"The board of trustees feels strongly about providing the best environment for our students," he said.
It will be up to voters to decide -- whether the bond passes. If it does, it will bring big changes to the schools.
"The junior high will also have about six to seven additional classrooms. The high school will see anywhere from eight to ten classrooms. We want to ensure that they have the proper door locking mechanism, the fencing," Mcalpin said.
Bond money would also be used to get Orangefield Elementary students out of temporary buildings and into real classrooms according to Mcalpin.
"They were made available to the district after Harvey and it allowed us some additional space for our students. Now at our elementary we're pretty much using all of those spaces," he said.
Mcalpin told 12News that these upgrades are something the district needs due to the recent growth and development in Orange County.
"It was a 12% increase over the last 20 years and a 4% increase over the last 10," said Mcalpin.
Jerad Spencer, a broker with Spencer Real Estate said the new Golden Triangle Polymers plant is largely responsible.
"So those people are going to have income to upgrade their rental situation or buy their first home," said Spencer.
Spencer said about 200 homes are going up in Orangefield waiting for families to move-in.
"I just talked to a person from Oklaholma. They are looking to relocate here and we got those calls on the east coast they are coming where the work is," Spencer said.
Mcalpin said the bond would increase the tax rate by 35 cents. Homeowners 65 and older are eligible to be exempted.