Grassroots America Continues Fight against Bond Issue

TYLER — The citizen activist group Grassroots America – We the People is again responding to TISD bond supporters as the group continues its stand against the bond, which is on the November ballot. According to the group’s executive director, JoAnn Fleming, GAWTP “is a bit shocked” and “a little bit confused” at the reaction to word that 50% of the newly built elementary schools will be overcrowded in less than five years. Fleming says, “We certainly didn’t expect to have the new schools be overcrowded so soon. So GAWTP is asking Tyler ISD to take seriously the consulting report that tells them they need to redraw attendance lines so that we can get the population of Tyler ISD dispersed around so that we can maximize the use of the facilities we have, including the new ones.”

Vote Yes Committee spokesman Andy Bergfeld had responded that if the schools do go over capacity, it can be dealt with when it happens — perhaps by building more schools. He even said that would be a good thing — that it would mean the school district is growing and doing some things right. Bergfeld added, “We know overcrowding is an issue – that is why we need to stay the course and build these schools.” At last report, Vote Yes had yet to respond to Fleming’s latest comments.