Building a Better Future:
Flour Bluff ISD's Community BOND
Sheira Capol, Writing Editor
May 1, 2025
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CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS—Flour Bluff Independent School District introduced a bond proposal focused on improving school facilities, technology, safety and extracurricular spaces. The election is May 3 and early voting was April 22-25 and 28-29.
“This is the community’s bond,” Superintendent Chris Steinbruck said. “A group of over 100 community members met over the course of three months to create this list of projects. They took facility tours, identified projects, ranked the projects and finally made a recommendation on the amount the district should pursue in a bond initiative.”
THE PROPOSITIONS
THE PROPOSITIONS
Zachary Graf, Assistant Director of Maintenance explains to community members the various needs of the Flour Bluff ISD HVAC system. Photo by:
Proposition A, which is estimated to cost $110,835,550, centers around upgrades such as:
Renovate Campus and District Infrastructure
Replace District Wide Utility Plant (Heating & Air Conditioning)
ECC Campus Additions and Renovations
Enhance Safety and Security
Upgrade Technology Infrastructure
Replace Aging Buses
Increase HS Cafeteria Capacity
PreK-6th PE and Playground Upgrades
Enhance District Traffic Flow
Renovate Fine Arts Auditorium
Proposition B, which is estimated to cost $67,254,960, centers around upgrades such as:
Construct and Renovate Career & Technical Education (Skilled Trades)
Expand Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC)
Construct and Renovate Fine Arts Classrooms
Improve Oceans and Wetlands: Active Outdoor Learning Center
Construct Physical Education Gym
Modernize Physical Education Field (Turf)
Superintendent Steinbruck shows community members the current state of the Career Technical Education classroom for Construction. Photo by: Kristen Bily
Superintendent Steinbruck explains the plans for Proposition C to community members. Photo by: Audreana Underbrink
Proposition C, which is estimated to cost $15,400,000, centers around upgrades such as:
Structural Repairs to Stadium
Upgrade Stadium Lighting
Replace existing asphalt with concrete
Expand ADA-compliant seating
Renovate and expand restroom facilities
Additional Stadium Parking
Improvements to Concession Stand
Additional Seating to the Home Side
New Press Box
THE NEEDS
THE NEEDS
In addition, residents in the 78418 ZIP code can use the Property Tax Impact Calculator on the website to input their property value and estimate the bond’s tax impact.
“Even if all propositions are passed, the district is still at the lowest tax rate in the area,” Executive Director of Communications Kristen Bily said.
One the bond elements is the renovation of the 71-year-old stadium. The stadium, originally built in the 1950s by high school students, will see several updates, including 1,500 new seats to the visitor’s side, repairs on the current home side and a new press box. The press box will also serve as a classroom for students in the sports information program that broadcasts athletic events.
Community members ask questions during their tour of the Elementary campus during one of the "Walk and Talk" opportunities provided by Superintendent Steinbruck. Photo by: Kristen Bily
“It has served this community well, but updates are needed to allow the stadium to continue to serve the community,” Steinbruck said.
On top of the stadium upgrades, the bond funds will address older buildings in the district. Modernizing the heating and cooling systems will improve building performance and create a more comfortable learning environment for students and staff.
“One of the biggest needs is our district-wide HVAC system,” Bily said. “The current system was installed in the 1960s and dates back to the era of President Lyndon B. Johnson.”
THE OVERSIGHT
THE OVERSIGHT
Community member cram together to learn more from Chief Warrant Officer Hulse directly about the Flour Bluff NJROTC program needs for expansion. Photo by: Kristen Bily
“All of the bond funds will have direct oversight from our Flour Bluff Board of Trustees and all of the expenses will be subject to third-party financial audits,” Steinbruck said. “In addition to this a Bond Oversight committee will be formed which will be made up of members from our FBISD community.”
During construction, the district plans to reduce disruptions to students and staff through project timing. For example, the additional classrooms at the Early Childhood Center will be completed during free time and other bond projects estimated to finish in between one and two months.
“A lot of these can be done with sequencing,” Steinbruck said. “Utilizing summertime and student holidays effectively will be an important part of these projects.”
The last bond Flour Bluff ISD pursued was in 2013.
Community involvement played a key role in shaping the proposal. Over 100 residents, including students themselves, participated in identifying priorities, ranking needs, and developing the final list of projects. Residents in the 78418 zip code can visit www.flourbluffisdbond.net to learn more.
“Through this entire process, the district has strived to be transparent with parents, students, and the community,” Bily said.
Steinbruck’s focus in the bond is the benefit for future generations of Hornets.
“These investments create better learning environments ensuring students have access to quality education and resources for years to come,” Steinbruck said.
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