The last of the $400+ million bonds is a $455.5 million bond for Garland ISD, covering school renovations, technology and athletics, which passed with 62% approval. This funding will cover work including a new natatorium for $20 million, a new $32 million Career and Technical Education center, a $35 million Fine Arts building expansion, classroom computer replacement costing $50 million, $157 million in mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire sprinkler improvements across 24 district buildings.

Garland ISD estimates that proposed projects would be completed over a five-year period, now that the bond has been approved.

Meanwhile, the largest of bonds to be defeated at last week’s polls was a $600 million urban rail and transportation package for Austin, which would have brought high speed rail to Central Texas. According to the city’s Capital Planning Office, the bond package would have paid “a portion of the cost of a fixed-rail transit system known as ‘Urban Rail’ that would service the East Riverside Corridor, downtown Austin, the State Capitol Complex, Medical School complex, the University of Texas, Hancock Center, Austin Community College Highland Campus and surrounding neighborhoods.” The CPO reported the unofficial vote was 57.2% against the program.