FAQ

School districts are required by state law to ask voters for permission to sell bonds to investors in order to raise the capital dollars required to renovate existing buildings or build a new school. Essentially, it’s permission to take out a loan to build, renovate and pay that loan back over an extended period of time, much like a family takes out a mortgage loan for their home. A school board calls a bond election so voters can decide whether or not they want to pay for proposed facility projects.

Yes. Recent research by the Environmental Protection Agency suggests that a school’s physical environment can play a major role in academic performance. Leaky roofs and problems with heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems can trigger a host of health problems – including asthma and allergies – that increase absenteeism and reduce academic performance. Research links key environmental factors to health outcomes and students’ ability to perform.

Working with the Board of Trustees, teachers, and administrators from across the district, the facilities planning committee developed a list of items to consider for inclusion in a bond package. The District has been evaluating current facilities and equipment, ongoing enrollment, growth, and other district priorities with the Board of Trustees.

To view the grade alignment chart, click here.

Current HS SF = 132,500 SF and the Proposed Total HS SF = 200,000 SF

Robinson ISD began meeting with a facility planning committee in the fall of 2024. By February, the committee decided to make a recommendation to the school board to call an election for May 2025. The RISD school board decided that a May election was the best decision due to construction costs, and the Robinson Primary/Robinson High School bond being paid off.

Robinson ISD will work closely with the contractors to make a plan and ensure that student safety and learning are the top priority. The construction will need to happen in phases and will utilize opportunities during the summer when students are out of school. It’s anticipated that the core academic wing would be constructed first and then the current 7th and 8th graders would move into that location while the other areas are being completed.

At this time, the high school campus will continue to operate lunch in the same manner as it does currently. 

When the facility planning committee evaluated the state of Robinson ISD facilities and capacity of the district, the committee determined that building a new high school would be the best solution to solve capacity and facility priorities across the district. 

The auditorium will be utilized district-wide for theatre, choir, dance/drill team, band, campus presentations and meetings, and community events. Providing students with a auditorium will give the opportunity for enhanced learning experiences with new equipment and technology such as technical theatre and enhanced audio/video productions.

It is anticipated that the auditorium will have seating for 850.

If the bond passes, Robinson ISD will engage with the architects to complete the design of the new RHS. The district will engage teachers, staff, and principals to ensure the new facility addresses day-to-day items. The district will do a request for proposals to employ a construction manager. All components of the construction will go through the bid process. Students should walk through the doors of the new RHS in the fall of 2027.

If the project comes in under budget, Robinson ISD will only have to sell bonds on the amount needed, resulting in a potential tax relief on the homeowners. RISD is legally bound to only use those funds for the projects on the ballot. 

Yes, if the bond passes, the new Robinson High School will have its own weight room at the new campus, and an existing space at the current high school (new junior high) will have a weight room. Students will not have to travel back and forth across Tate for weight training. 

It is likely that the grade realignment will still need to occur. This could mean that portables will be needed at Robinson Primary without a realignment, or at the junior high to accommodate grade 6 moving to that campus. 

At this time, the only other outstanding bond is for Robinson Intermediate which was passed in 2014.

A school bond project cannot exceed the voter approved amount. 

The architect, school board, construction manager, and administration will all oversee the project. The distinct will also contract with an independent agent to provide additional oversight.

The junior high will undergo a complete renovation that will include classroom redesign and improvements to infrastructure, plumbing, and electricity.