Hubbard ISD’s $7.6 million bond fails to pass after voting ends in tie
HUBBARD, Texas (KWTX) - A $7.6 million bond measure for Hubbard ISD failed Tuesday after ending in an exact tie vote of 178-178.
The bond election results remained uncertain through Wednesday as officials counted just three provisional ballots that ultimately determined the outcome.
Hubbard ISD Superintendent Dr. Justin Turner says Hill County results initially showed an exact split.
“I received the election day results and it had us down 20, and then found that early voting had us as plus 20 so that balanced it out to be 172 to 172 in Hill county,” Dr. Turner said.
Results from voters outside Hill County were also split, with 11 votes from Limestone County — 6 against and 5 for the bond — bringing the total to 178 against and 177 for.
Three provisional ballots required review by a panel Wednesday afternoon. Provisional ballots are cast by voters who live in the district but are not registered.
“They have a water bill or a rent or mortgage documentation that proves that they live here, but they just haven’t had that opportunity to become a registered voter. Those provisional ballots then get sent over for review,” Dr. Turner explained.
The panel accepted only one provisional ballot, which supported the bond, creating the final 178-178 tie.
Since bond measures require a majority vote to pass, the tie means the measure failed. The district will not receive funding for what Dr. Turner described as necessary improvements to schools and facilities.
“These are things that are going to have to be done regardless,” he shared, “it’s kind of like owning a home right? Owning a school district is really no different in that if you don’t upkeep it periodically it starts to deteriorate”.
Dr. Turner plans to hold a town hall meeting and encourages voters who opposed the bond to attend.
“I want to seek to understand and really ask them to try to kind out, you know, what was a determining factor in the no vote so I can do a better job of leading the initiative going forward in the future,” he said.
But despite the failure, Dr. Turner says the close margin provides optimism for future bond elections.
“Being that it’s so close does provide a source of optimism for me and the school district going forward, and if you don’t get it the first time you try try again,” he shared.
Results will be officially confirmed in the coming weeks.
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