Bond Proposal
The Willis Independent School District (WISD) Board of Trustees has unanimously called for a bond election to be placed on the November 2024 ballot. The bond is a continuation of the referendum on the May 2024 ballot, which was only partially approved by voters.
The bond package consists of three separate propositions designed to address educational and extracurricular opportunities and facilities while focusing on needs associated with population growth and student programs.
Proposition A - Student Activity Center ($27,000,000)
Prop A includes a student activity center housed at Willis High School, totaling $27,000,000. The student activity center will be used by 900+ students in various activities.
Why a Student Activity Center?
As the temperatures continue to rise, the University Interscholastic League (UIL) has issued guidance to school districts, recommending limitations on outdoor activities during periods of extreme heat. This presents significant obstacles for various programs that rely on outdoor practice sessions during the autumn and spring months due to the unseasonably high temperatures in the region. The availability of an indoor facility, such as a student activity center, would provide the infrastructure for these activities to continue without being affected by adverse outdoor weather conditions.
Includes:
- Foyer for Art Shows/Events
- Classrooms, Media Rooms, and Equipment Storage
- Wrestling Room
- Air Force JROTC Space
- Baseball/Softball Batting Nets
- Soccer and Gold Nets
- Indoor Practice Facility
- Girls & Boys Locker Rooms
- Spaces for Cheer, Dance, and Band
- Weight Room
- Staff Offices
Proposition B - Athletic Complex and Stadium with Community Room ($68,800,000)
Prop B is for a new athletic complex and stadium with a community room totaling $68,800,000. The district purchased 62 acres in 2023 for a future stadium at the corner of FM 830 and Hwy 75, across from Willis High School. The stadium would be built to accommodate a growing 6A school district with the capacity to support up to four high schools in the future. The community room will provide a place to hold meetings, end-of-year banquets, and other special events. The room will be available to the public for rent.
Why an Athletic Complex?
Berton A. Yates Stadium was built in 1974 when the high school had only 399 students. Today, Willis High School has 2,790 students. Yates Stadium has a home capacity of 2,200 and a visitor capacity of 1,300. As a 6A district playing Conroe schools, the current stadium needs more seating and parking capacity to accommodate 6A crowds. It is the district’s only stadium, is undersized, and it is common for it to reach or exceed code-required capacity, limiting the number of community members who can attend games. Although additional seating could be added to Yates, parking is already limited, and building codes will not allow for an expansion to the facility with no expansion in parking capacity.
Includes:
- Approximately 8,500 Seats
- 3,400 Parking Spots
- Community Room (400-person Capacity)
- Field House
- Concessions
- Track & Field
Proposition C - Aquatic Center ($19,600,000)
Prop C would build an aquatic center adjacent to the proposed stadium for $19,600,000. The facility would include a 50-meter USA-sanctioned swimming-sized pool with an additional dive well. The swim and dive team has 35 members and is growing. In addition to the ability to expand the team, the district will also establish water-safety programming for all elementary students and Red Cross certified lifeguard training for students 16 and up. Additionally, the facility would be a prime location to host local, regional and national swim meets and competitions, which could bring in revenue to assist with operational costs.
Why an Aquatic Center?
Willis ISD has had a swim team for the past 30 years. However, due to the unavailability of a dedicated space to practice swimming and diving, our students are forced to either drive themselves to practice as early as 5:30 am or when drivers are available, the district provides a bus, which costs the district up to $13,000 annually in fuel expenses. Currently, the swim team practices mostly at the old YMCA facility, which is now owned by the City of Conroe. Unfortunately, this pool is an all-outdoor pool that is in dire need of major renovations. The City can either decide to renovate the pool or shut it down completely. Without a pool to practice in, we may be forced to disband our swim team or pay even more money to rent a pool at Conroe ISD's natatorium.
Includes:
- 50-Meter USA-Sanctioned Competition Pool
- Platform & Springboard Diving Area
- Water Safety Program
- Girls & Boys Locker Room
- Classrooms
- Capacity for 800 Spectators
- Outside Gathering Areas
- Storage
