Ellis USD 388 bond issue proposal passes by wide margin

By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

ELLIS — A steady stream of voters entered the VFW Thursday to decide the fate of a $4.55 million bond issue for repairs and renovations in the district's two main buildings, Washington Elementary and Ellis Jr./Sr. High School.

And as predicted by a 2020 Docking Institute survey, voters overwhelmingly supported the measure with preliminary results showing a final vote of 440-98.

Out of 538 votes cast, 81.78 percent voted yes, and 18.22 percent voted no, according to the Ellis County Clerk website.

Voter turnout was 29.07 percent.

Board of Education president Randy Honas said he was thankful for the support from the community.

He said he had never heard much opposition but was still pleasantly surprised by the result, calling it a “good showing and a great turnout.”

“They told us in the Docking institute Study they would support a bond of this type and this amount,” Honas said. “That’s what we ran, and they did what they said they would do, overwhelmingly.”

“I’m just really happy for the community and really proud of the community to come out and just do what they said they were going to do,” he continued. “I couldn’t be prouder.”

Superintendent Janice Wilson said the measure would positively impact the lives of the students and staff.

“I think this gets Ellis on the right track to making sure that our facilities are up to date and have the opportunity to be where everybody else is,” Wilson said. “It’s been a long time coming, and we are stoked and super excited because it’s important that Ellis cares about their kids, and this proves it.”

She said the district would now move into the design phase and find and hire contractors to do the work.

“Hopefully, we are on track for next summer or even before to get this started,” Wilson said.