Projects funded by Bryan ISD’s $175 million bond voters approved in 2020 are wrapping up, and Deputy Superintendent Brian Merrell said the district has a surplus of funds to spend on additional projects.
Merrell presented a Bond 2020 update to the board of trustees during a Feb. 23 meeting.
The final phases of projects included in the 2020 bond will wrap up this summer, closing out the 2020 bond package, Merrell said, as the district gears up to begin projects funded by its $397 million bond voters approved in November.
Zooming in
During a Feb. 2 Bond Oversight Committee meeting, Merrell said the committee considered $13.45 million in possible additional projects and funding reallocations the 2020 surplus could cover, including some projects originally outlined in the 2025 bond package and several items initially paid for with the general budget. Any items costing over $50,000 are brought before the board of trustees for approval, Merrell said.
“Having money left allowed us to move some things forward from 2025,” Merrell said.
Per meeting information, surplus funds could be allocated to reclassify previous expenses from the general budget, including:
- $40,814: equipment at Ross Elementary for additional prekindergarten classrooms
- $31,985: replacement of damaged playground equipment at Fannin and Houston elementary schools
- $28,000: uniforms for the Bryan High School Shy-Anne Dance and Drill Team
- $11,510: furniture for new classrooms at Bryan Collegiate High School
Additional new projects to be funded by the surplus include:
- $50,000: fire suppression system
- $35,000: four grounds maintenance trailers
- $15,000: new washer/dryer hook up at Navarro Elementary
- $15,000: new Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant pathway at Johnson Elementary
Projects outlined in the 2025 bond that can be expedited with surplus funds include:
- $3.63 million: new campus public address system
- $2.93 million: new phone system
- $2 million: new buses and vehicles
- $1.7 million: graphic window film to enhance safety and security districtwide
- $1 million: interactive displays
- $836,390: new security camera and monitoring system
- $739,638: fine arts uniforms and equipment
- $405,000: technology and security systems
Looking back
Voters approved a $175 million bond package in November 2020 that prioritized safety and security, new construction and facility additions, maintenance, fine arts improvements and land purchases, according to district information.
In November 2025, voters approved three propositions on the ballot totaling $397 million for safety, maintenance, transportation, fine arts and facility upgrades, as well as athletics improvements and instructional technology enhancements, according to district information.
The district does not anticipate receiving funds from the 2025 bond package until August but has been able to proceed with some projects from the 2025 bond with excess dollars from the 2020 bond, which total roughly $20 million, Merrell previously said in an interview.
In similar news
At the Feb. 23 meeting, trustees approved awarding a $3.03 million contract to Aggieland Construction for priority maintenance projects at elementary campuses, such as restroom improvements. The project uses 2020 bond funds, and work is slated for this summer, Merrell said.
Trustees also approved purchasing two new 54-passenger special education buses from Longhorn Bus Sales for $307,934 with some of the surplus funds from the 2020 bond.
