A slew of education-related packages were approved last week, far outweighing those from other entities. Among the bonds that passed in the November 4 election were:

• A four-part bond package for Arlington, covering public works, transportation, parks, recreation, fire department and libraries, totaling $236 million;
• Two bonds for Austin Community College, one for $224.8 million that covers planning and construction for future growth, and a second for $161 million, covering campus growth, renovation, health and safety;
• A $163 million bond for Birdville ISD, covering school renovations, technology, safety and security upgrades;
• A $175 million school building bond for Brazosport ISD;
• A $132 million school construction bond for Bryan ISD;
• A $100 million school construction bond for Corpus Christi ISD, along with two bonds for the city of Corpus Christi, totaling $99.495 million, that covers street projects, safety, revitalization and improvement projects;
• A $157 million bond for Del Mar College, covering campus expansion;
• A $134 million bond for Del Valle ISD for school construction;
• A $169.5 million bond for Keller ISD, covering new schools and renovations;
• A $240.65 million bond for Lamar CISD for school construction;
• A $175.55 million bond for Pasadena ISD, covering renovations, new schools and technology; and
• A $195 million bond for Port Arthur ISD for school construction.

The largest bond to pass last week was the $748.12 million bond for Katy ISD, for new schools and athletic facilities. According to a breakdown by Katy ISD, 48% of the bond will go toward new facilities, 30% toward existing facilities, 7% toward technology, 11% for student activity facilities and 4% for other purposes. This will include six new schools, renovations at six campuses, a second sports stadium and an agricultural sciences center. Voters approved the package by an unofficial count of 55.2%.

According to a project and cost matrix from Katy ISD, the six new schools are slated for opening in 2016-2019, with existing facility renovations planned for 2017-2018 completion, and existing facility expansions planned for 2016-2018 completion.

Another large program was the $485 million bond for Lone Star College System, which will include new construction and existing facility upgrades. Lone Star estimates that $351 million of the bond will go toward new construction, which will be about 686,000 sq ft across six of its campuses. Meanwhile, $50 million will go toward 362,000 sq ft in existing facility renovations.

Voters approved the Lone Star bond package by a vote of 65.27% for and 34.73% against. The bond program is expected to roll out over the next five to eight years.

Fort Bend ISD saw its $484 million bond package covering school construction, safety, security, technology and transportation pass as well with approval by 73.6% of voters.

A total of $365.4 million will go toward new construction and classroom additions ($222 million of that will be used for four new elementary schools), while $26.9 million will go to safety and security improvements, $15.9 million for new school buses with cameras/GPS, $39.4 million for technology infrastructure and $36.5 million for land purchases and other needs.

Design and planning has already begun on one of the four new schools, which will open for the 2016-17 school year.