Early voting began Monday, and one of the items on the 2018 ballot is CCISD’s $210 million bond proposal. The bulk of that money would be used to build a new Mary Carroll High School on Saratoga Boulevard.
Monday afternoon, some opposition was voiced against the proposal. Just before the CCISD School Board meeting began, the Corpus Christi chapter of the American Federation of Teachers expressed their concerns about the new campus.
“Although I believe every child needs a brand new school, we still have questions at the Corpus Christi American Federation of Teachers as to why some of the schools that are in most need, for example, Gibson Elementary School that has a leaky roof, and Miller High School that needs major renovations have not been considered in this bond,” Nancy Vera said.
Some concerned residents also questioned the $175 million cost of the new high school at Monday’s school board meeting.
They said the cost is nearly double that of Veterans Memorial, which was built only four years ago.
John Wilson works in the mortgage industry and recently met individually with the CCISD Board of Trustees. He believes there are other ways to address overcrowding at other high school campuses.
“So you know, it seems to me they could address the projected overcapacity issues at Veterans Memorial by redrawing lines and re-allocating students between the existing footprints,” Wilson said.
However, the President of the CCISD Board of Trustees said the cost is justified.
“When you look at the growth that is taking place in Corpus Christi on the south side and when you look out at the growth over the next five to eight years, the need is definitely there,” Catherine Susser said.
If passed by voters, the campus is expected to open in August of 2022.
