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Orange County and local elections on Nov. 5 have brought new and returning leaders and the passage of a school bond.

Voters in Vidor Independent School District supported a bond proposition with 53.96% or 5,215 votes in favor and 46.04% or 4,449 against.

The $98.4 million bond proposition will allow for the consolidation of district facilities, shuttering Vidor Junior High and moving those students to the newly built Vidor Middle School.

The bond will allow the district to address vital updates and repairs across campuses, ensuring that schools remain secure, accessible, and equipped to meet modern standards, according to information from Vidor ISD.

Among the key projects funded by this bond is the consolidation of Vidor Junior High School’s 7th and 8th graders with 6th graders, creating a unified middle school campus for grades 6-8. This reorganization will streamline the district’s structure and help provide a more cohesive and supportive educational experience for middle school students. As part of this restructuring, the 5th-grade students currently located on the middle school campus will be integrated into the district’s three elementary schools to better accommodate this change. Along with the additions to the other schools, the High School will also receive upgrades to better suit our student needs and safety.

“We are grateful to our Vidor ISD voters for their participation and dedication to the future of our schools,” said Vidor ISD Superintendent Dr. Jay Killgo. “With the support of our community, we look forward to enhancing our district’s facilities to better serve our students, staff, and community. Thank you for supporting our mission to inspire, educate, and prepare all students to be successful, productive citizens.

Together, we’re building a brighter future for Vidor ISD.”

With this bond approval, Vidor ISD is poised to make substantial strides in achieving its long-term vision, helping to ensure that the district’s students have access to safe, innovative learning spaces. The district expresses sincere gratitude to all who supported this mission and the future of Vidor ISD’s young learners, he said.

Orangefield ISD had four trustee seats up for election with only one of those races being contested.

The Place III seat had three candidates; Richard Lasseigne Jr., Dustin Loga and Jude Graffagnino.

Graffagnino won the seat with 49.74 % or 1,708 votes. Loga garnered 25.92% or 890 votes and Lasseigne saw 24.34% or 836 votes.

Orange County Emergency Services District No. 1 has three individuals running for two seats. They include incumbent Wyatt Boyett, Ronnie Herrera and Rose Luce.

The ESD services Vidor, Rose City, Pine Forest and surrounding areas.

Herrera brought in 47.35% or 5,147 votes and Boyett saw 40.31% or 4,381 votes thus winning the seats.

Luce saw 12.34% or 1,341 votes.

Orange County ESD No. 3 had four individuals vying for two commissioners’ seats. They included Scott McDonald, Jeremy Kent Nichols, and incumbents Cathy Drake and Jeff Braus. The seats are at-large.

The ESD No. 3 covers the Little Cypress area, north of the city of Orange, according to information from the organization.

McDonald garnered the top amount of votes with 43.79% or 1,237 votes. Cathy Drake brought in 22.05% or 623 votes making McDonald and Drake the wines.

Nichols saw 20.21% or 571 votes and Braus saw 13.95% or 394 votes.