The Hays CISD committee charged with recommending projects for a potential bond arrived at a $59.3 million option on Nov. 21.

The proposal calls for the construction of a new middle school and technology upgrades, among other improvements.

Slashing two items from an original list of capital improvement projects—including replacing the roof of Buda Elementary School's lower campus and a second phase of bus replacements—the 23-member committee trimmed its proposal by about $3.5 million.

Superintendent Michael McKie said he was proud of the committee and supports its recommendation.

"I think we have a good recommendation that will meet the needs of our school district," McKie said after the unanimous vote. "Really, there is a lot for everyone, and every school is touched in some form or fashion with this recommendation."

In addition to recommending the amount, the committee opted for a plan to pay off the bonds in 25 years.

The most expensive and, according to rankings by both administrators and the committee, pressing feature of the recommendation is constructing a new $35 million middle school.

Although the recommendation did not specify a location for the school, officials said the northeast of the district, on the east side of the Barton Middle School attendance zone, is where the greatest need lies.

"Looking at the population we are currently serving, it makes the most sense to build a school in that location," McKie said. "Fine-tuning those lines is yet to be determined."

A culmination of six meetings that began on Oct. 7., the proposal is set to be presented to the Hays CISD board of trustees on Dec. 9 for their consideration.

If the potential bond moves forward, public hearings will be held sometime in January, district spokesman Tim Savoy said.

The board has until Feb. 24 to call for a May 10 bond election.

The committee's recommendation isn't necessarily the final product. While the board is unlikely to depart much from its appointees' suggestions, the public hearings could inform what the proposition would look like if it makes the ballot.

"This is a very important step in the process, but it's just the beginning step really," Savoy said.