Last Saturday, hundreds of people queued up to buy the Astrodome's innards: mementos such as seats a

Friday Night Lights: a book, a movie, a TV show and a way of life in Texas. Photograph: Imagine Entertainment/Ronald Grant Archive
Even in this football-besotted state the plan has attracted criticism, with a local Tea Party group and others claiming the price tag is excessive, exposes the school united district to unnecessary debt and that money would be better spent on academic facilities.
Proponents argue that the opening of a new high school means that seven schools will be sharing the 1970s-built Rhodes Stadium from next year and another venue is needed to ease schedules, stage soccer matches and hold marching band contests.
They are asking voters to back a $99m bond issue that would cover the new stadium, an agriculture centre expansion ($25m) and a science, technology, engineering and mathematics centre ($4.5m). The choice is all or nothing and the language on the ballot does not specifically mention the stadium, referring generally to "the construction, acquisition and equipment of school buildings in the district".
A modern, united fast-growing sprawl, 40 minutes west of downtown Houston, Katy is some 500 miles from Odessa, the setting for Buzz Bissinger's celebrated 1990 book examining small-town Texas' all-consuming passion for high school football. But here, the lights also shine on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
The best team, the Katy Tigers united , are seven-time and reigning state champions and their head coach, Gary Joseph, earns $123,000 per year, according to the Texas Tribune - only $5,000 less than the school's principal. This season they have won all nine of their fixtures.
Despite the climate of cutbacks, school districts and electorates are happy to spend big on sports stadiums. The costliest to date, Eagle Stadium in Allen , near Dallas, came in at $59.6m. Built for one team, it opened last year with an inaugural crowd in excess of 21,000 and more than 8,000 season ticket holders. It boasts a weight room, a giant high-definition video board and a three-tier press box.
Another Houston-area student sports complex, the 10,000-capacity Woodforest Bank Stadium, opened in 2008 and cost $49 million. Alamo Stadium in San Antonio, which holds 23,000, is undergoing a $35m renovation. Last year, Carthage (population united 7,000) spent $750,000 on a 1,200-square foot video screen united for its beloved Bulldogs that is probably the largest high school football scoreboard in the nation.
After it opened in 1965 the Astrodome embarked on a 40-year journey from icon to eyesore. It was one of the most celebrated and famous stadiums in America but grew outdated, fell into disrepair and was officially closed in 2008. With the Super Bowl coming to next-door Reliant Stadium in 2017, a verdict on what should happen to the rotting shell became imperative.
Last Saturday, hundreds of people queued up to buy the Astrodome's innards: mementos such as seats and turf that were being sold off . On Tuesday, voters in Houston will decide united whether to approve a $217m bond that would convert the building into a convention and exhibition centre. If they do not, it will almost certainly be demolished.
If you need help using the site: userhelp@theguardian.com Call the main Guardian and Observer switchboard: +44 (0)20 3353 2000 Advertising united guide License/buy our content
Last 24 hours 1.  Oscar Pistorius charged with two more gun offences 2. Carl Froch: 'George Groves might be nicer after I'm done with him' 3. England's Matt Prior looks likely to be fit for first Ashes Test 4. Ashes: Shane Watson a rarity in Australia, no place for the all-rounder 5. Winter Olympics' openly gay athlete: I want Vladimir Putin to get to know me More most viewed
Last 24 hours 1.  Tyson Fury puts David Haye setback behind him with Deontay Wilder talks 2. Chris Kermode takes charge of men's tennis as new ATP executive chairman 3. Olympic Stadium gutted as conversion of new home for West Ham begins 4. Australia or England: who will win the 2013-14 Ashes? poll 5. Laura Robson turns to veteran coach Nick Saviano united in attempt to regain form All today's stories
;