The Hereford Independent School District (HISD) is considering a $150 million bond measure aimed at replacing Hereford High School, a facility that district leaders say is in critical need of updates. The high school, which has stood for 73 years, has not undergone significant renovations since its construction and faces challenges with aging infrastructure.
Superintendent Dr. Ralph Carter emphasized the urgency of the project, noting multiple areas where the current building is struggling to meet modern educational needs. "Sewer infrastructure is about gone underneath the building. The electrical system is outdated for the technology that we have. We can't even plug half the Chromebooks in a classroom into the electric socket because there's not enough electricity," Carter said.
The district’s plans for a new facility would include a range of improvements intended to enhance both safety and learning environments. Carter detailed some of the envisioned upgrades: "We'll have a new auditorium. We'll have a new choir room, a new band room, new academic section. One of the things I'm excited about is adding a safe room. We're going to make the cafeteria large enough to get 1,500 kids or 1,500 people in as a safe room. And then part of the other expenditure on the bond would be to put safe rooms at all campuses."
According to Carter, the district’s leadership believes that a complete rebuild is necessary. "We don't have a facility we can renovate at this time. We don't feel like we can. We feel like we need to rebuild," he explained. The plan would involve constructing the new building on the current site, with phased demolition and construction designed to minimize disruption to students. "We're going to try to build around what's there and then take down as we go so we don't have to displace kids while we do it," Carter added.
The proposed bond would come with a financial impact for local taxpayers. The average homeowner could expect to see an increase of about $128 annually if the measure is approved. The district has scheduled a special meeting on Feb. 12 to discuss the bond proposal with the community, providing an opportunity for residents to ask questions and share feedback.
The bond consideration comes on the heels of a recently approved tax rate increase focused on teacher retention. The increase, known as the Voter-Approved Tax Rate Enhancement (VATRE), generated approximately $1.5 million for the district. So far, around $679,000 of those funds has been used for staff stipends.
Carter outlined plans for distributing the remaining funds. "We have plans for about a $500 retention bonus in August. So that'll leave us about $500,000 out of that money left over, which we hope to put at the base salary of our at-will employees," he said. This effort reflects an ongoing focus on maintaining a stable teaching workforce while the district addresses the high school’s infrastructure needs.
Community reactions to the proposed bond are not yet clear, though public meetings and discussions are expected to shape local opinion. Voters will ultimately decide whether to approve the funding, which could have significant long-term effects on both the high school and district finances.
If passed, the bond would mark a substantial investment in the school’s future, providing modern facilities designed to support both academics and extracurricular programs. Beyond classrooms, the inclusion of safe rooms and updated technology infrastructure is intended to enhance student safety and create a learning environment that can keep pace with current educational demands.
The high school, with a history spanning more than seven decades, has long served the Hereford community. District leaders argue that a modern replacement is essential to meet the needs of current and future students, particularly as technology and safety requirements have evolved.
For residents interested in learning more or voicing their opinions, the district encourages attendance at the special meeting scheduled for Feb. 12. The session will offer detailed explanations of the bond proposal, projected costs, and timelines for construction if the measure is approved.
As the district balances teacher retention initiatives with infrastructure needs, the proposed $150 million bond represents one of the most significant potential investments in local education in recent years. While voters will have the final say, HISD leadership is emphasizing both the urgency of replacing the aging high school and the careful planning underway to minimize disruption for students during construction.
