**Voters Head to Polls Tuesday for East Texas School Bonds, State Amendments**
Voters across East Texas will head to the polls on Tuesday, November 4th, to cast ballots on a slate of local school bond proposals and eight statewide constitutional amendments. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and voters are reminded to bring a valid photo identification. Early voting concluded on October 30th.
Several East Texas school districts are seeking voter approval for significant bond packages to address growth, renovations, and facility improvements.
Whitehouse ISD leads with two propositions totaling nearly $179 million. Proposition A, at $173.35 million, includes funding for a new elementary school, renovations at another elementary, new classrooms at the junior high, high school replacements, new buses, security upgrades, and technology improvements. Proposition B, for $5.3 million, would specifically fund new baseball and softball fields, as well as new tennis courts.
Lindale ISD is asking voters to approve a $105 million bond. Proposed projects include a new elementary campus, converting the current elementary into an early learning center, and adding Career and Technical Education (CTE) classrooms and an auditorium at the high school, alongside other district-wide renovations.
Hawkins ISD seeks $15.5 million primarily for a new elementary school, additional campus renovations, and technology upgrades across the district.
Chapel Hill ISD has put forth a $24 million bond, with a focus on enhancing security systems, upgrading HVAC infrastructure, and making necessary classroom improvements.
Mineola ISD is also on the ballot, requesting $28 million for the construction of a new elementary school and renovations to existing campuses.
In addition to local school initiatives, Texans will decide on eight proposed constitutional amendments. These statewide propositions address a variety of issues:
* **Proposition 1:** Aims to increase the homestead exemption from $40,000 to $60,000 for property owners.
* **Proposition 2:** Establishes a permanent water infrastructure fund for the state.
* **Proposition 3:** Prohibits the imposition of a state wealth tax.
* **Proposition 4:** Authorizes the legislature to increase the mandatory retirement age for state judges.
* **Proposition 5:** Creates the new Texas University Fund, replacing the former Higher Education Fund.
* **Proposition 6:** Establishes the Texas Energy Fund to support reliable power generation.
* **Proposition 7:** Creates the Texas Infrastructure Resiliency Fund, designed to provide funding for disaster relief efforts.
* **Proposition 8:** Authorizes a $100 million grant program for state parks and historical sites.
Voters are encouraged to review their specific ballot ahead of Election Day on Tuesday, November 4th.
