Deadline nearing for LISD voter registration
By JULIE SHEHANE EDITOR

HCN/Julie Shehane LISD Superintendent Ron Sims talks to taxpayers at a public information meeting March 6.

LUMBERTON - The deadline to register to cast ballots in the May 10 $28.5 million LISD bond election is drawing near.

In order to vote in the bond election, residents must register at least 30 days prior to casting ballots, district officials said. In this case, April 10 is the deadline, according to the Texas Secretary of State Web site.

The two-pronged bond proposal includes $22 million for the new elementary campus and additional middle and high school classrooms and $6.5 million for a new performing arts center. Other projects would join the list if funds allow.

The bond proposal's effect on tax rate includes a 21-cent increase to cover Proposition 1 and a 6-cent rise for Proposition 2, according to district pamphlets.

The estimated increase on a $100,000 home is $17.50 monthly or $210 annually for Proposition 1, and $5 monthly or $60 annually for Proposition 2. Both would add $22.50 monthly or $270 annually, the pamphlets say.

Superintendent Ron Sims said the new campus is part of a district-wide

realignment plan.

"This is a plan to keep the population at our campuses at a manageable level," Sims said at a recent public meeting. "We are looking at our buildings being able to house 800 students with 400 in each grade. This plan will carry us years down the road."

Currently, each grade houses about 300 students, Sims said. District growth projections estimate LISD will gain about 70 students each year.

The new campus, set to be built on 150 acres of recently purchased FM 421 land, would house fifth and sixth grade students, Sims said.

The five existing elementary and secondary schools would also house two grades each, while the high school campus continues to serves grades nine to 12, Sims said.

The Early Childhood campus would serve preschoolers with disabilities, prekindergarten, kindergarten and T1 or transitional kindergarten students. First and second grade students would attend the Primary School, while the Intermediate School would house grades three and four. The middle school would serve seventh and eighth grade students, according to Sims.

Other bond proposal plans include adding classrooms to the existing middle and high school campuses, Sims said.

"The middle school addition would be attached to the east side of the campus and would allow us the room to house 800 students," Sims said at a recent public meeting. "The Science classrooms would be located behind the high school library in the center of the building."

Proposition 2 seeks a performing arts center, which Sims said, would be built west of the current high school student parking lot near Raider Stadium.

"We have a lot of groups in the district that would be able to utilize that building," Sims said, adding that the center would also be available for public use.

Sims said if voters approve the bond proposal, the new elementary school would likely open in August 2010.

If voters reject the proposal, the district would weigh its options for future growth, according to Sims.

Early voting is April 28 until May 6 at the Lumberton ISD administration building, located at 121 South Main Street in Lumberton. Early votes can be cast Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Extended early voting hours will be May 5-6 from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

General election votes can be cast May 10 at Lumberton Middle School, located next to the administration building. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

For information, call the district administration office at (409) 923-7580 or visit the district's Web site at www.lumberton. k12.tx.us.