Holly Noel and Craig Boyle, long-range facility planning committee co-chairs, shared what the committee has accomplished so far and its next steps during the Dec. 10 board of trustees meeting.
Some context
Board President James Spradley said part of the district’s upcoming budget adjustments will address immediate budget needs, but these adjustments play a part in the LRFPC's goals.
“With enrollment declining, we must align our facilities with our current and future needs to maximize efficiency,” Spradley said. “The educational landscape has evolved significantly since these facilities were built. Modern learning demands spaces that support today’s teaching methods and styles.”
Some of these efficiencies include designing campuses that minimize operating costs while maintaining safety and security, Spradley said.
Sorting out details
Since convening in January, Noel said the committee has reviewed district finance budgets and the 10-year demographic forecast, as well as worked with an architecture firm to understand facility capacities and future feeder patterns.
The committee has also toured all the campuses, Noel said, and some of the common observations and requests included:
- More bathrooms
- More collaborative work spaces for teachers and students
- More classroom storage
- Bigger science labs
- Better traffic flow and parking
Several students spoke during the public forum portion of the meeting about challenges on their campuses as the board continues to discuss a possible Barton Creek Elementary and Valley View Elementary campus blend due to projected budget shortfalls and stagnant state funding.
Looking ahead
Based on recommendations the LRFPC will make to the board next year, Spradley said the board of trustees could convene a bond oversight committee to craft a proposed bond package which could go before voters in May 2026.
In the coming months, Boyle said the LRFPC will meet to form recommendations for the board of trustees. These recommendations, he said, will include considerations on what needs to be reconstructed versus renovated, and what issues should be addressed versus what must be addressed.
- January-March: Elementary, middle and high school subcommittees will be formed and meet to address individual needs at each campus.
- March-April: The committee will reconvene as a whole and final concepts, pricing and phases will be compiled.
- May: Recommendations will be presented to the board.
