In four separate purchases, GISD has acquired about 203.39 acres of land for future schools, including three new elementary schools, two new middle schools and a new high school.
Of the $150.5 million included in the bond package, $10.6 million was earmarked for land acquisitions for future campuses. GISD data predicts that the district will grow from its current student population of about 12,000 to more than 15,000 by the 2025-26 school year. In anticipation of that growth, district officials said they want to secure land before prices rise and number of parcels become scarce.
The district is also moving forward with the purchase of an additional 35 acres of land for a future career and technical education building that will be open to all GISD students. The land purchase was not included in the original bond plan—just the design for $2 million—but due to 2018 bond savings, the district was able to pursue a land purchase for the facility, said Melinda Brasher, GISD executive director for communications.
The bond also included $2 million for the design of a new middle school.
Here is a breakdown of those land purchases and where they will be located.
Schools
18.28 acres- For: future elementary school
- Where: southwest quadrant of district
- Status: purchase expected to close in late September
- For: future elementary school, middle school, high school
- Where: southwest quadrant of district
- Status: purchase closed in December 2019
- For: future middle school
- Where: northwest quadrant of district
- Status: board approved closing on purchase; expected to close in October
- For: future elementary school
- Where: northwest quadrant of district
- Status: purchase closed in March 2019
Facilities
35 acres- For: future career and technical education building
- Where: center of district
- Status: board approved purchase agreement; district conducting feasibility study before purchase closes
