Orangefield Independent School District has opened a new chapter in educational excellence since partnering with its community to improve the district’s educational landscape. In 2023, Orangefield ISD voters passed a $42.9 million bond with 69% voter support to ensure the district’s readiness for future demands. The bond focused on renovating and enhancing the district’s three schools serving approximately 1800 students.
This tight-knit community built the foundation for the bond’s support, starting with 60 residents who participated in a visioning process to define a forward-looking plan for the district. The plan emphasized health and safety, facility improvement and growth readiness.
Pfluger Architects partnered with the district to revitalize its master plan and engage the community to learn how to align district goals with local values. Pfluger’s process included:
- Hosting community meetings to help decision-makers learn about the community’s objectives and interests.
- Developing a branded bond campaign with messaging that connected with community members.
- Producing architectural renderings to visually communicate the planned enhancements.
- Developing materials in English and Spanish to raise awareness and visibility among potential voters and guarantee accessibility for every community member. These materials included one-page handouts outlining the bond’s objectives, direct mailers aimed at community members not directly linked to the district, and an early voting guide with a map of polling locations and operating hours to simplify voter participation.
- Presentations designed to inform and involve residents in the bond process and the district’s plans.
The bond is the district’s commitment to the community. Through the bond, Orangefield ISD promised to enhance safety, support growth, and broaden educational opportunities. The key components of the bond were:
- Security updates and additional classroom space at every school.
- Renovations and additions on each campus to alleviate overcrowding and prepare for future growth.
- Eliminating the need for 21 portables—minimizing access points at each campus and unifying teachers and students under one roof.
- Expanding Career and Technical Education (CTE) programming with immersive educational spaces that provide students with real-world, hands-on learning experiences.
These projects are just the beginning of exciting opportunities for the district. The 2023 bond laid a foundation for the district’s commitment to continue developing and improving.
Congratulations, Orangefield ISD!
