Board approves $167.3M bond election

TYLER — Tyler Junior College (TJC) could be adding three new buildings to its campus with the passage of a $167.3 million bond, set to be voted on in the May election. In a unanimous vote on Thursday, the TJC Board of Trustees called for a bond election that would pay for three new construction projects and improvements to existing facilities, costing an approximate $167,328,269 million. The proposal for the construction projects was developed by TJC’s Facility Planning Committee, which consists of college representatives and community members.

“The committee identified three major projects to provide for TJC’s community partnerships, student learning environments, workforce preparation and the college’s technological and physical infrastructure,” the institution said. “These areas were selected, in part, because they impact the entire campus.”

The following projects would be funded by the bond, if approved on May 2:

Workforce and Academic Building – $64 million: The bond would fund the construction of a facility to house TJC’s workforce training and academic programs with new technology for high-demand industries, such as engineering, business, criminal justice and more. According to TJC, almost 25 workforce and STEM programs use the decades-old and outdated 1966 Pirtle Technology Center.
Student Success Center – $54.8 million: A portion of the bond would be used to fund the consolidation of student support services into a single “Student Success Center,” making services more efficient and effective for students, the institution said. Currently, student services are spread across campus in eight different buildings.
Student Safety & IT Center – $32.9 million: The bond would also be used toward the construction of a new data and technology building and the TJC Police Department. The institutions says that the new facility would integrate and modernize its digital and physical security operations, as the current technology buildings faces structural integrity issues and the police department operates out of two former residential homes.

TJC bounces back with 89-68 win over Navarro College

Additionally, the bond includes $15.6 million in anticipated costs for engineering, infrastructure, equipment, furnishings and more.

“Texas community colleges do not receive state funding for these types of projects, and this is only the fifth bond called by TJC in our 100-year existence,” the institution said. “The last was in 2012 to fund new construction of our Nursing and Health Sciences facility.”

According to the TJC Bond website, residents with a home value of $252,141 in the TJC taxing district would see a $7.02 monthly increase. Owners who qualify for the 65 and older or disabled person residence homestead exemption would not see an increase above the approved tax ceiling.

Early voting for the bond begins on April 20 and ends on April 28, with the election day being May 2. Anyone with questions may visit the bond website for more information at tjcbond.com.