As the voting day draws near, the discord over Houston ISD's $4.4 billion bond proposal intensifies with both major political parties in Harris County firmly stating their opposition. According to Houston Public Media, the Harris County Democratic and Republican parties have publicly announced their stance against the bond that, if approved, would channel billions into revamping the city's education infrastructure.
In a move that signals bipartisan disapproval, the Harris County Democratic Party Executive Committee voted unanimously to oppose the bond, citing concerns over HISD Superintendent Mike Miles' fiscal mismanagement and oversight limitations. "Mike Miles has been a terrible steward of public funds already, and has run up the deficit from over $118 million to close to $450 million in just a year," said Party Chair Mike Doyle, in a statement obtained by Houston Public Media. Doyle emphasized the need for elected representatives to manage the funds meant for schools and students.
Meanwhile, the Houston Chronicle reports that the bond amount will not only cover the costs of rebuilding schools and technological advancements without tax increases but it will also double in cost due to interest, climbing to an estimated $8.9 billion debt for the district over the next 30 years. The projections are based on assumptions about interest rates and debt terms, yet the pursuit of such financial endeavors has alarmed both parties who express worry over the long-term fiscal impact on taxpayers.
The Republican Party's opposition aligns with similar concerns of financial accountability. Harris County Republican County Chair Cindy Siegel criticized the bond for lacking fiscal responsibility, pointedly stating, “Adding unnecessary and unaccounted-for expenses through these propositions will only exacerbate the pressure on hard-working families. We need to ensure that every dollar spent goes directly to improving the quality of education for Houston students. The huge dollar figure of these bonds is troubling, and we believe it’s time for HISD to be fully transparent with how they manage taxpayer money," in a statement obtained by Houston Public Media.
The HISD bond saga also echoes in the voices of educators and parents. Jackie Anderson, president of the Houston Federation of Teachers, welcomed the bipartisan opposition. "We are appreciative that both parties have joined us in opposing the bond. After careful consideration, I believe that they were able to agree with us that the direction that HISD is headed in is harmful to our students and our communities. There is a lack of transparency on the part of HISD's appointed Superintendent and BOM and it is draconian. Look forward to working with both parties to save HISD schools from further harm," Anderson told Houston Public Media.