$240 million bond at work: Wylie ISD students now using new amenities with more to come

ABILENE, Texas ( KTAB/KRBC ) – This time last year, Wylie voters approved a historic $240 million Wylie ISD bond. This bond addresses the district's growth, safety, security, and more. Since the last bond in 2017, Wylie ISD has seen an increase of more than 1,000 students. Now, a year later, Assistant Superintendent Craig Bessent says students are now able to use some of the new amenities that are now complete, like tennis courts, and see construction on the way for new baseball and softball seating.

"We know our community is always strong and invested. School is a big part of the Wylie community, and it just confirmed our belief in that. It's exciting to see how Wylie ISD is progressing, and there are a lot of new things on the horizon," said Bessent.

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The bond funded many crucial upgrades, such as high school and east intermediate expansions, upgraded technology, and new buses. Some of the buses date back to the early 2000s and even the 1990s.

"So, as soon as the bond passed, we were able to order seven new route-type buses and then seven travel-type buses. All of our buses are now air-conditioned. We have been able to implement some gasoline buses on our route buses, which economically works better for us, and so it really upgraded our fleet, and we are able to use them in our out-of-town trips," Bessent explained.

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Students in sports and band have already begun using the new multipurpose practice field, which Director of Sports Mike Fecci said helps students succeed.

"Anytime it rains or doesn't rain out here, that's more common that it doesn't rain, you end up getting cracks in the field, and it's a lot of maintenance to try to maintain. To be able to put a turf field down, that's an all-weather situation where we are able to be out there when it rains, we aren't rained out. It's contagious, winning is contagious, and the expectation here is we are going to be successful, and our facilities help enhance that," added Fecci.

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He looks forward to seeing all the projects completed, which he says will take some time within the next 18 to 24 months.

"When kids walk out, and they see the facilities that they have, they understand that they're backed and that they are valued, and that just enhances that whole experience even more," shared Fecci.

Some other upgrades included in that bond are a new elementary school, high school band hall expansion, and new classrooms built to accommodate career technical education classes. To learn more about the Wylie ISD bond, visit here: Construction Updates – Wylie Bond 2023