The Three Rivers ISD board of trustees has called for a bond election to be held in conjunction with the general election on Nov. 2.

The proposition on the ballot will ask voters to approve $11,185,000 to construct, acquire and equip a new high school/junior high school/administrative offices, and levying the tax in payment.

“It is costing the taxpayers of TRISD a great deal of money to keep these old buildings operating. I believe that the decision to move forward with a bond election and new construction is the best solution for the district,” said TRISD Superintendent Kenneth Rohrbach.

The board made this decision at its regular board meeting, which was held on July 20. If approved by voters, the revenue from the sale of the bonds will construct an approximate 56,000-square foot facility which will house 7th-grade through 12th-grade classrooms, family and consumer science labs, library, science labs, offices, band hall, print shop and central administration offices.

The decision to pursue a new school facility has been discussed at length by the board over the past six months, with the board weighing all possible solutions for the aged buildings which comprise the current high school and middle school. After much discussion and research, the decision was reached by the board that new construction was the best solution for the district.

“These buildings have served their purpose and we need to look forward to the future of the Three Rivers ISD and its students,” said board President David Saenz.

The board will conduct several community meetings to discuss the proposed bond issue. Those dates, times and locations will be published in The Progress.

The board welcomes input from the community. Questions about the proposed bond and construction project can be directed to any board member, Superintendent Rohrbach or Business Manager Donald Kasper.