Trustees are expected to vote on the proposal during their next regular meeting Nov. 17.
Round Rock ISD's proposed sixth high school would be built on Pearson Ranch Road in Austin.[/caption]Here are five things to know about RRISD's proposed sixth high school:
1. The new high school would be built on Pearson Ranch Road in Austin.
RRISD selected the site this summer, which is near the existing Elsa England Elementary School and the future Pearson Ranch Middle School, which is currently under construction and set to open in time for the 2017-18 school year.
2. The school would support up to 2,600 students.
The design proposal states the school would include 481,513 square feet of space for classrooms, extracurricular activities and other educational programs as well as administrative and support offices. The school could be built in phases and ready for students to attend by the start of the 2019-20 school year.
3. District officials want a new school to alleviate overcrowding at Round Rock High School.
Round Rock High School had 3,134 students enrolled during the 2015-16 school year, according to RRISD. Without overcrowding relief, the district's projections show Round Rock High School's student enrollment increasing to nearly 4,000 by 2021.
Round Rock ISD's proposed sixth high school could be designed to support up to 2,600 students.[/caption]4. The school's campus would include space for career and technical education.
The proposed design shows portions of the school could be used for career or technical education programs, such as culinary arts or game design, although a decision on which specific programs might be offered has not been made.
5. Funding for the school's construction would come from a 2017 bond package.
The projected cost to build the new high school is $130 million, which includes the cost of construction, design, furniture and technology installation. It could also include a 750-seat auditorium, which would add $20 million to the overall cost. Once the board votes on the new school's design, a citizens bond committee will provide input into whether funding for the school could be included in a potential May 2017 bond election. Trustees will make the final determination of the projects included in a proposed bond package. In April, trustees approved $11 million in surplus money from a successful 2008 bond election to be put toward developing a design for the new school.
