Local voters overwhelmingly approved an $11.1 million school bond Tuesday, which will fund a new wing at the junior high campus and allow the district to take the first step in realigning its grades at the elementary and junior high levels.

AISD Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Estes was very pleased with the 739-512 decision and credited the success of the bond campaign to the school board, facility steering committee, administrators, teachers, parents and other community members who participated in pro-bond efforts on their own time.

“We’re thankful for our community’s support of this first step in the long-term vision the Facility Steering Committee has for Alvarado ISD,” Estes said. “It’s an exciting time to be an Alvarado Indian and what happened tonight will benefit not only our current students but Alvarado students for generations to come.”

Estes said once the votes are canvassed, Southwest Securities will be in charge of selling the bonds, and then the wheels will begin to move for the new addition which is scheduled to be completed in time for the 2021-2022 school year.

Once the new wing is completed, all sixth-grade students will be housed at the junior high and third grade will temporarily move to the intermediate school to alleviate crowding at the elementary schools.

The long-term vision is to have three PreK-5 elementary schools, one 6-8 junior high and one 8-12 high school.

“We are excited about the opportunities this will open up for our sixth-grade students,” junior high principal Melodye Brooks said. “We will do everything in our power to ensure a smooth transition when it happens and welcome our fellow Alvarado Indians with open arms.”