Company envisions neighborhood just for Taylor ISD staff
A proposal under review by the Taylor Independent School District could someday create affordable, leased housing for teachers and other staffers to boost retention.
The homes and neighborhoods specifically would be dedicated to Taylor ISD employees, somewhat analogous to a “company town,” explained Jason Roberts, founder and CEO of San Marcos-based Upward Communities.
“We are creating a solution for the essential staff employees to be able to live in a single-family home,” Roberts said during a presentation at the March 30 school board session.
Upward Communities builds residential neighborhoods for businesses and school districts. No costs were aired, no deadlines were discussed and trustees did not take any action on the suggestion, saying more time is needed to consider the proposal.
Upward Communities covers the cost of construction but enters a long-term partnership – a lease of 55 years – with the school district or company.
If Taylor ISD inks an agreement with UC, the homes become assets providing fixed, stable rental increases to the employees living in them, officials said.
“We mow the yards, we take care of the maintenance. We do all the management and all the leasing for you,” Roberts said.
Board Vice President Shorty Mitchell asked if the homes can be purchased by school employees, but Roberts noted the properties are lease only.
“We build high-quality homes, with one- to fourbedroom options in walkable, amenity-rich neighborhoods,” he said.
Neighborhoods include swimming pools, fitness clubs, dog parks, playgrounds and more.
The model is not a new idea, the CEO said.
“Henry Ford had houses for his workers. General Electric did this in New York, the military has campuses to house its people. We’re just trying to come back to this,” Roberts said.
Elon Musk has talked about creating similar housing for workers at the nearby Tesla Gigafactory west of Bastrop.
Some Taylor ISD officials at the session applauded the proposal.
“This is an exciting initiative tied to (the district’s priorities and goals of) strategic compensation and benefits,” said Ron Verano, Taylor ISD’s executive director of maintenance and operations.
Verano and Roberts said they realized the board could not make a quick decision on a project on this scale.
“This is a conversation we’ve been having as a district leadership team with (UC)…it’s more of an introduction to an exploratory phase,” Verano said.
Proponents said benefits to the school district include stronger recruitment, higher retention, improved performance, workforce stability, lower costs and community connection.
In addition, pluses for staffers are affordable living, stability and security, predictable costs, modern homes, lifestyle amenities and worry-free maintenance.
To learn more about Upward Communities, visit upwardcommunities. com. The school board meeting can be viewed at youtube.com/@taylorisdstream7564/ streams.
The next session is 7 p.m. April 20 in the Taylor ISD boardroom, 3101 N. Main St.
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We mow the yards, we take care of the maintenance.”
— Jason Roberts, Upward Communities
