During a special meeting Aug. 3 a committee of community members recommended the Georgetown ISD board of trustees call for a $160.6 million bond election in November to fund new schools and improvements. The decision is now up to district leaders.
A handful of members of the citizen’s advisory committee, made up of teachers, board members, parents and community leaders, made the recommendation to the board. The entire group of 35 members met six times to discuss proposed projects since March.
The projects ranged from tackling aging facilities to creating excess space in anticipation of growth in the district. Committee member Bob French said the Georgetown community values education and would likely chose to support projects that are based on needs.
“We believe as a committee, if you chose to put this to the voters, it will be positively received,” he said.
The committee made the following 12 recommendations to the board, which together totaled $160.6 million:
Replacement of Purl Elementary School—Proposed $31.4 million to build a new elementary school next to the current building. Students would attend the current campus until the new one is built, then transition to the new building. The campus would transition from a Pre-K through second grade campus to Pre-K through fifth grade. Students from Williams Elementary School would attend the new Purl campus.
Renovation of Tippet Middle School—Proposed $26.1 million for additions and renovations, and to improve safety and security issues in the school building.
Middle School No. 4—Proposed $27 million to fund the district’s fourth middle school. The project was initially included the 2010 bond, though was put on hold to complete other projects, said district spokeswoman Suzanne Marchman. Close to $28 million in 2010 bond funds were dedicated for the design and planning of the building.
Williams Elementary into Professional Development Center—Proposed $14.8 million to convert the elementary school into an administration and professional development center.
Other projects:
- Georgetown High School Phase 2 upgrades and renovations—$23.4 million
- Campus security—$1.5 million to add security cameras and surveillance cameras to various schools
- Repairing roofs and parking—$7.2 million for pavement parking lots and drives and roofs at six district buildings
- Athletic turf—$1.2 million to replace tuft at the GISD Athletic Complex
- HVAC systems—$8.5 million for repairs and replacement HVAC units
- Land acquisition—$4.8 million in anticipation for future growth
- Technology—$12.7 million to upgrade infrastructure
- Buses—$2 million
Committee member Barbara Pearce told the board the citizen’s advisory committee also considered adding an aquatics facility to the list of recommendations. The possibility was brought up toward the end of their meetings, and members did not have as much information on the impact of a possible center as the other projects, she said. Instead, the members recommended trustees pursue an evaluation of the district’s need for an aquatic facility using funds from the maintenance and operations budget, she said.
The board will likely decide whether to call for a November bond election at the August 17 board meeting, district spokesperson Suzanne Marchman said.
