The Midland Reporter-Telegram (MRT) hosted a forum that took place Oct. 18, in which a representative from anti-bond and pro-bond discussed the pros and cons of the $1.4 billion Midland Independent School District (MISD) Bond. With the future of Midland schools in question, the forum discussions touched on funding, infrastructure upgrades/builds, as well as the impact on taxpayers in Midland, Texas.
According to The Midland Reporter-Telegram’s Facebook live post, Josh Ham of Energize Midland Schools represented the pro-bond group, and Rachel Walker of Move Midland represented the anti-bond group. The moderator of the forum is Stewart Doreen, who also serves as the editor of MRT.
“The most important thing to think about is that both sides have our children to focus on,” Walker said. "Win or lose, we have to be there to support our children at the end of the day and yes, come Nov. 8, if this election doesn't go our way, Move Midland will still be here to help hold our district accountable because the outcomes of our children are too important not to focus on."
“We have to realize that this bond is about infrastructure for our kids,” Ham said in his final statement. “We need to support our kids, and we have to provide infrastructure for them because we haven't done that, and that's part of this as recognizing what we've done wrong and where we've fallen short."
According to the video footage capturing the forum, Walker offered the idea that the community "can still achieve the exact same things that this currently proposed bond wishes to achieve in a different way that gives accountability and transparency back to the citizens."
The proposed $1.4 billion bond plans on a new Midland and Legacy High Schools, a new elementary school, middle school improvements, safety and security installation/upgrades and improvements to aging facilities, according to the Midland ISD bond website.
The proposed bond will be put to a vote in the upcoming election on Nov. 7, with early voting beginning on Oct. 23 and ending Nov. 3, according to Midland ISD’s official website.
Voting information, including location, dates and times, can be found at Midland ISD official bond website at midlandbond2023.com/.