The voters said, "No".
Three different towns all had the same result at the polls. Voters spoke and they said no to the school bond issues in Lumberton, Vidor, and Orange. KBMT Channel 12 covers the Vidor Independent School district bond defeat. It seems unanimous that we all believe our local children need updated classrooms, the latest technology, and improved recreational facilities but the question is are we willing to pay for it.
Earlier this year, the Beaumont Independent School District was supported by Beaumont voters in a bond issue which passed. They are the only district in our area to have won the support of local voters.
So what is the difference between voters in Beaumont and the other three towns? Probably nothing. More likely, the defeats can be blamed on the current economy. Things have changed in the past few months. The country is now in a recession. Energy prices are up. Food prices are up. Gas prices are way up. Voters aren't as willing to vote for another tax increase right now. Bad timing for these three school districts.
Other school districts around the state faired better with voters. 76% of all school bond issues passed, according to the Texas Independent School District Website. Apparently 86 Texas towns voted on school bonds this week. 66 of those towns passed the bond issues.
For more coverage on the local bond defeat read The Beaumont Enterprise article.
Comments