Children, teachers, and community are worth the investment

Dan Reilley

A new Political Action Committee (PAC) has recently formed to oppose the Aledo ISD Bond proposed by a group of 49 community members — your neighbors, friends, and fellow taxpayers. The group calls themselves “Concerned Parents of Aledo ISD PAC” and you may see some information from them in your mailbox. 

I, too, am a concerned parent of Aledo ISD. That is what convicted me to get involved and find solutions. My family moved here in 2016, and I voted against the 2017 Bond out of concern for taxes, debt, and construction costs. Why? Because that is what someone told me. Someone at church convinced me that if we voted no, then the district would be forced to come back with a smaller, better bond package. Apparently, Aledo had a history of bonds failing before they passed, but my no vote did not change what was needed for the kids in the district. Growth was obviously an issue, and as a newer resident contributing to the “problem,” I wanted to be part of the solution.

In 2019, I volunteered for the Bearcat Growth Committee and became intimately engaged in the district’s demographic projections, finances, debt management practices, and facility deficits. I quickly learned what was shared with me prior to the 2017 Bond did not paint a complete or accurate picture of Aledo ISD and the challenges the district faced in preparing for the future.

As it turned out, after every failed bond election since 2001, the major projects included in the next bond that passed were at a higher price than originally proposed! Delaying projects had cost the taxpayers more money, put more capacity stress on the district’s educational infrastructure, and placed our teachers in the difficult position of educating our kids in less than ideal circumstances (large class sizes, shared resources, aging facilities).

The 2019 Bond went a long way in getting the district “caught up” with facility capacity and providing a similar experience for all students regardless of the campus they attended. Growth has continued as was projected.

The time has arrived once again to decide about our children’s educational future, but this concerned parent of Aledo ISD is worried that voters may once again receive information that does not present a complete or accurate picture of the challenges facing our school district and the solutions proposed.

As a co-chair of the current Aledo Growth Committee that put together the current bond proposal, I can attest that the concerns for taxes, debt, and construction costs were passionately debated. The committee wrestled with the reality of growth and the associated investments required by the community. At the forefront of our discussions was what was best for our children, but every decision point was examined through the eyes of our community as represented by the 49 committee members.

What are we asking the community to support? How will this impact their kids and grandkids? How will this impact their taxes? Will the community support what this group has identified as an immediate concern? How do we best plan for the next ten years and beyond?

Ultimately, the bond proposal in front of the Aledo ISD community for vote on May 6, 2023, reflects nearly eight months of data review, discussion, debate, and compromise that invests in our children and acknowledges the real cost associated for our community. I believe our children, our teachers, and our community are worth the investment! Please vote. Please support the proposal from your taxpaying peers who volunteered their time and came to a unanimous recommendation for your consideration.

Dan Reilley is a parent in Aledo ISD and Co-Chair of the Aledo Growth Committee.