Fort Worth ISD hopes for passage of $750 million bond

Many of Fort Worth's aging high schools could soon get an upgrade if voters approve a $750 million bond package.

Voters on Tuesday will decide on the bond, which is the largest in the history of Tarrant County. Voters overwhelmingly passed school bond proposals in 2007 and 2013.

The district says it's not too soon for another bond proposal that it says is crucial to keep building on student performance.

"We have to update what goes on inside them just as we update the curriculum over time we need to update the equipment students are using to learn that curriculum," said Clint Bond, FWISD spokesman.

The high schools will get more than 77 percent of the $750 million. Of that, $35 million would go to North Side High School.

North Side is home to the nationally acclaimed mariachi band, which has 200 students involved. They've outgrown their classroom and rehearsal space.

"We call this the graveyard lot for our surplus instruments and storage cases. We have nowhere to put them. We store them in here. if you look this is where a kid could be practicing several kids could be practicing,” said instructor Ramon Nino.

The school was built in 1937, as were many of Fort Worth ISD’s 14 high schools. Engineering students are crammed into makeshift spaces and students learning forensic science are also in tight quarters.

"We make sure our kids have something to fall back on, we promote higher education for all our kids but we do know that they need a fall back skill,” said Antonio Martinez, North Side High School principal.

Despite the tight spaces, North Side officials said 94 percent of the students in the last graduating class were accepted into universities.