The authorization allows Brent to negotiate and execute the contract for purchase the tract of land. The land is located in the southwest quadrant of district, but the exact location will be released when the purchase is final, GISD Executive Director for Communications Melinda Brasher said.
If finalized, funding for the land purchase will come from the voter-approved 2018 bond program, Brent said.
GISD currently has an enrollment of about 12,000 student, but that is expected to jump to 14,470 in 2024-25 and 17,421 in 2029-30, district demographic data shows.
This is a separate project from the purchasing 135-acres of land for three future schools—an elementary, middle and high schools—also in the southwest quadrant of the district the board approved in December. The 135 acres is located west of D.B. Wood and south of Cedar Breaks Park roads.
GISD is also nearing the completion of two new elementary schools slated to open in the fall—Wolf Ranch and Williams elementary schools. GISD Executive Director of facilities and construction David Biesheuvel said construction on the schools continues and is still on schedule to be completed on time even as the coronavirus pandemic has left students at home for the rest of the school year and closed nonessential businesses through at least April 30. Construction is deemed essential by Gov. Greg Abbott’s orders.
In other business:
- The district will install perimeter fencing at six elementary school campuses as part of the safety and security initiative in the 2018 bond program. The 6-ft., black chain link fencing will enclose all of the outdoor areas used by students providing a protected area for them while outdoors during the school day, Biesheuvel said. The price of the project is $376,592 with a $15,000 contingency that will return to the bond program if unused, he said.
