While the U.S. economy slowed as 2015 came to a close, education capital-expenditure initiatives continued to prove resilient.
Total value of education construction in the U.S. in 2015 hit a seasonally adjusted rate of approximately $90 billion, up almost 14% from the same time last year, according to recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau—reaffirming education’s strength as one of the largest construction markets in America.
More than 110 individual bond issues were passed in November 2015, resulting in approximately $12 billion in funding to address growing infrastructure and operations needs in the nation’s schools, according to American School & University’s Education Bond Alert. The initiatives will provide capital to address new construction, repair and renovation, and technology improvements, among other things.
Some of the states with larger total bond-issue amounts passed in November include Arizona ($1 billion), Michigan ($862 million), Virginia ($655 million) and California ($610 million). However, Texas voters approved a whopping $6.736 billion in bond issues in November—exhibiting once again that they really do things bigger in Texas. In fact, seven of the top 10 bond issues passed in November were in the state.
Here are some of the largest bond issues passed by voters in November:
- Dallas ISD, TX, $1.59 billion to build nine schools; upgrade libraries, cafeterias and labs; and make various technology improvements.
- Aldine ISD, TX, $798 million to build three elementary, three middle and two high schools; as well as additional renovations to existing schools.
- North East ISD, TX, $500 million to replace portables; upgrade security and technology; and complete additional renovations.
- Conroe ISD, TX, $487 million to build a high school, junior high school, intermediate school and two elementary schools.
- Ysleta ISD, TX, $430.5 million to build new schools and replace existing schools, as well as renovate existing facilities.
- San Jacinto Community College, TX, $425 million for facility construction on several campuses.
- Highland Park ISD, TX, $361 million to build a new elementary school, rebuild three elementary schools, and other additions and renovations.
- Fairfax County Public Schools, VA, $310 million to build a new elementary school and complete renovations at 14 school campuses.
- Davis School District, UT, $298 million to build a high school, junior high school and several elementary schools.
- Puyallup School District, VA, $292.5 million to replace three elementary schools, build a new elementary school and make other facility expansions.
About the Author
Joe Agron Blog
Editor-in-Chief and Associate Publisher
Joe Agron is the editor-in-chief/associate publisher of American School & University magazine. Joe has overseen AS&U's editorial direction for more than 30 years, and has helped influence and shape national school infrastructure issues. He has been sought out for comments by publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, USA Today, U.S. News & World Report, ABC News and CNN, and assisted with the introduction of the Education Infrastructure Act of 1994.
Joe also authors a number of industry-exclusive reports. His "Facilities Impact on Learning" series of special reports won national acclaim and helped bring the poor condition of the nation's schools to the attention of many in the U.S. Congress, U.S. Department of Education and the White House.