For residents of the East Central Independent School District, a school bond issue will be on the May 10 election ballot.

Based on the recommendation of a “Facility Study Group,” trustees are calling for a vote on remodeling and rebuilding parts of East Central High School.

The intent of the proposed project is to update and expand East Central High School. It is the district’s only high school and is 40 years old. The total cost of the project would be $49.8 million.

To pay for the project, the average household property tax would increase $150 to $180 annually.

The total cost of the project is approximately half of what the cost would be to build a completely new high school, according to school officials who estimate building a new high school would cost between $80 to $100 million.

The renovation of the existing high school would provide more classrooms and labs necessary to meet new state academic requirements. It would also accommodate a growing student population; make possible the expansion of technology to teach all students the skills needed in today’s world and lower utility costs through efficient heating/cooling/insulation.

The proposal calls for the newest existing buildings on the campus (cafeteria, gyms, band hall, career and technology, math/science) to remain as they are with some renovations. A new two-story facility would be built on the same campus to house all remaining academic classrooms as well as the library, counseling center and administration.

A new agriculture facility would also be built. The oldest buildings would be demolished. The project would be carried out in phases.

The public is invited to attend information sessions that are taking place at each of the district’s schools as well as at meetings of other organizations in the Southeast Bexar County community. The schedule of presentations can be found on the district Web site at www.ecisd.net, or by calling 648-7861.

Early voting will be from April 28 to May 6.