Tyler Junior College Board of Trustees calls bond election for May 2
The Tyler Junior College (TJC) Board of Trustees voted with unanimous support during a board meeting on Thursday, February 12, 2026, to call an election for an approximately $167.3 million bond to pay for three new construction projects and improvements to existing facilities. 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 last was in 2012 to fund new construction of our Nursing and Health Sciences facility.
The proposal was developed by a Facilities Planning Committee made up 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. These areas were selected, in part, because they impact the entire campus:
Workforce & Academic Building – $64 million*
Almost 25 of TJC’s workforce and STEM programs utilize the 1966 Pirtle Technology Center which is decades-old and does not have advanced classrooms, simulation labs and collaborative learning spaces. The bond will fund construction of a facility to house TJC’s workforce training and academic programs for high-demand industries, including engineering, business, criminal justice, surveying, information technology and others. It will feature modern technology similar to what graduates will be using in the workplace.
Student Success Center – $54.8 million*
TJC offers 18 services that support students throughout their college journey—from entry to enrollment, persistence, and graduation. Currently, these services are spread across eight different older buildings on the 145-acre Central campus.
Consolidating these services into a single “Student Success Center” will allow TJC to more efficiently and effectively provide student support services, allowing students to spend less time on administrative tasks.
Student Safety & IT Center – $32.9 million*
The current data and technology building has structural integrity issues that will prevent it from meeting the current or future demands of advancing workforce technology. In addition, the TJC Police Department currently operates out of two former residential homes. By relocating these functions to a new facility, the College will integrate and modernize its digital and physical security operations for more than 20,000 students and 1,200 employees who learn and work at TJC enhancing physical and technological safety.
*Plus $15.6 million anticipated costs for engineering, infrastructure, equipment, furnishings, etc.
For more information about the bond, visit TJCBond.com.
