Sunday, May 19, 2024
The May 4 unofficial election results are in, with the majority of residents giving a firm thumbs down to the $161 million Granbury Independent School District bond proposal.
The bond — which failed by approximately 398 votes in Hood County — consisted of a new elementary school off Old Granbury Road and Peck Road behind H-E-B, renovations to nine GISD campuses, a new north transportation center with the purchase of 30 new buses, additional instructional technology, and more.
Proposition A (the bond race) was neck-and-neck in Hood County, with 5,311 (51.9%) votes against and 4,913 (48%) votes for the bond.
For Parker County, results showed that 93 (82%) were against the bond and 20 (17%) voted in favor of the bond.
Shortly after results were tallied, Granbury ISD Superintendent Jeremy Glenn issued a statement on the election.
“Granbury ISD would like to thank our community for a strong turnout in this year’s bond election,” the statement read. “The facility and enhancements proposed on the ballot were truly needed to accommodate future student growth and provide equity within our district. In the coming months we will take this feedback, study it, and figure out how to better address the challenges of student growth in our schools. We look forward to a continued strong partnership with all stakeholders as we work to provide all students in our schools with an exemplary educational experience. Thank you for your involvement and genuine concern for our students.”
This is the third time a GISD bond proposal has failed in the past few years. The first proposal totaling $394 million failed in 2022, under two propositions. Proposition A, $355 million to pay for school facilities and land, was rejected in a 68.64% to 31.36% split. Proposition B, $39 million to pay for athletic stadiums, was snubbed by 72.75% of voters, with 27.25% voting in favor.
Last November, a $151.7 bond proposal failed by a mere two votes. This bond proposal included: a new elementary school off Old Granbury Rd and Peck Rd; renovations to all six elementary schools and both middle schools; Acton Middle School expansion; HVAC replacements at campuses; safety and security enhancements throughout the district; instructional technology; new north transportation center to alleviate traffic; address traffic flow at campuses; 30 new buses; and a central transportation center fuel tank replacement.
During the last bond election, preliminary voting totals from Hood County originally showed that Proposition B was ahead by 74 votes. However, as results came in from the counties of Johnson, Somervell and Parker, the overall vote total shifted.
In Cresson, a new mayor was elected following former Mayor Teena Conway’s resignation in February.
Cresson Volunteer Fire Department Chief Ron Becker garnered 151 votes (74%) while Jack Farr received 53 (26%).
For Place 2 on Cresson City Council, Gary Robertson pulled ahead with 143 (70%) votes to Roy Doolin’s 59 (29%).
For Place 4, final tallies showed that Corey Barker received 148 (74%) votes to Kellie Woolsey’s 52 (26%).
In Lipan, Tim Dowdy won Place 7 on the Lipan ISD board of trustees with 196 (82%) votes to Curtis Harris’ 41 (17%).
Just over 20% of Hood County's 49,113 registered voters cast ballots during the May 4 election, with 10,591 ballots cast in total.
