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Bells has $7.25M school bond election Save Email Print
Posted: 9:48 PM May 9, 2008
Last Updated: 10:44 PM May 9, 2008
Reporter: Mystic Matthews
Email Address: mystic.matthews@kxii.com

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BELLS, TX - This weekend is election time across North Texas. Cities and schools will be deciding on leaders and other issues.

Residents in Bells must now decide if they are willing to raise taxes in the name of education. Mystic Matthews joins us now with more.

Officials like junior high principal Don Keene say more than $7,000,000 is needed to make Bells Schools a better place to learn. And tomorrow, voters have a decision to make.

"We're looking to build nine new classrooms, a band hall and a new gym, as well as resurface our track," says Keene.

And by doing so, it will add 42,000 square feet of learning space, as well as added security features and additional parking.

Keene says, "The bond will allow us to do a number of those things that we feel like we need to do to keep up and provide children what we feel like they need."

Some residents are against raising taxes 18 cents, which is the worst case scenario.

But others like resident like Robert Shannon say its better now than later.

Shannon says, "It seems like every year my taxes go up anyway. I have researched it and mine is going to go up $40.00 a year, so that's not too bad."

Officials say the proposed construction will create space not only for kids now.

Keene says, “We're trying to think of the kids and look down the road as future as a community and school district. The way inflation is going, every year we wait we get further behind."

And Shannon says the school district has already waited to long, “I think they should have done it already, a couple of years ago. But let’s get it done now, I guess."

Even though administrators can't tell folks which way to vote, they do agree a face lift for the school is necessary.

Keene says, "I feel like were a little behind facilities-wise and this will allow us to catch up."

If passed, the district will be eligible for state money and will use funds generated by the 2006 tax rollback.

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Posted by: Susan Location: Bells on May 11, 2008 at 10:49 PM
I really tink that the school should have thought of this when they built the first time. I walke in and the first thing I saw was the gym. I know several people who graduated from Bells that can not read or write above 6th grade level.They could play football and basketball. It wouldn't be so bad if it was class rooms, But why do they need 3 gyms.I don't get it.Why do I wont to pay for that.

Posted by: Anonymous on May 11, 2008 at 06:39 AM
Maybe Shannon doesn't mind when the cost of gas and food keeps going up either! But not all of us can afford it!

Posted by: Rebel without a cause on May 10, 2008 at 03:00 PM
yes taxes go up every year and before long no one will be able to pay them . what may seem like a little to some it a huge amount to others . The tax people have you trapped they can charge what ever they want and go up to how ever much they want and there is not one thing you can do about it ...Just like everything else .. People You Need to gain control your freedom is being lost right before your eyes and you need to wake up and see it

Posted by: Anonymous on May 10, 2008 at 07:49 AM
I cannot see any reason a small town like bells needs 7.2 million for additional school Bells is not Frisco . Your taxes will go up for some it wont matter but some CANNOT afford more money I guess those that cant can move out like anyone cares . The new cowboys arena is not far off this kind of money . What they dont tell you is after the fact well taxes have to go up more than expected and you have no control Just like your car insurance for all who didnt know its going up to

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Bells on May 10, 2008 at 06:11 AM
I'm voting against it. I pay plenty enough in property taxes as it is. Make the parents pay extra if they want fancier stuff for their kids.

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