The Alief (Texas) Independent School District in southwest Houston is asking voters to go to the polls next month to approve a $341 million bond proposal for facility upgrades.

The referendum on the May 9 ballot would enable the 46,000-student system to expand facilities, upgrade security at district campuses and provide new buses.

The district has broken down the bond proposal into three categories:

• New construction, $228.7 million. Projects include building additional gymnasiums at Alief’s six middle schools; additional classroom space to accommodate a full-day pre-kindergarten program; construction of a professional learning center, a performing arts space, a career center, and a fine arts addition at one of the district’s high schools.
• Safety and security, $103.3 million. Planned improvements include upgraded entrances and reception areas at numerous campuses; restroom renovations; and other needed facility renovations.
• Transportation, $9 million. The district will buy replacement school buses.

The last successful bond issue in Alief was in 2003, when voters approved a $175 million proposal.