The gist
To receive project permits from the city to complete the rest of the needed work on MISD’s CTE and ag center projects, the district could be required to complete $160,000 in water line upgrades and $185,000 in landscaping, Chief Operations Officer Kris Lynn said Feb. 20. The projects—located along Lone Star Parkway between Buffalo Springs and Plez Morgan drives—are funded by the district's $326.9 million 2022 bond.
MISD leaders met with City Council on Feb. 27 to discuss the project and upgrade requests.
Montgomery City Administrator Gary Palmer said he is confident he and MISD leaders can “work the landscaping stuff out” without a vote from City Council. A potential variance on the water line upgrades or a cost-share agreement between the city and MISD were discussed Feb. 27, but no action was taken at the discussion-only meeting.
What they’re saying
City Council member Casey L. Olson expressed concern about a cost-share agreement for the water line upgrades since citizens already pay taxes to the school district.
“If we take the burden of this, that should be paid by the school district; now ... our tax dollars ... are going to pay for that, too,” Olson said. “So why should the 2,500 people of this town be taxed twice?”
MISD Superintendent Mark Ruffin said district leaders are only looking for consideration on variances and cost-share opportunities with precedent.
“All I'm asking is if there's cost-share opportunities that are afforded to the council ... that they just be considered,” Ruffin said. “I'm not asking for any special permissions, or anything along those lines. ... [The district doesn't] want to be seen as special.”
In case you missed it
In mid-November, preconstruction work on MISD’s CTE and ag centers began, as previously reported by Community Impact.
On Jan. 23, MISD’s board of trustees approved the guaranteed maximum price of $65.3 million for construction costs on the district’s CTE and ag centers, which are estimated to cost a combined $80 million total, as previously reported by Community Impact. The buildings—measuring a combined 189,000 square feet—are scheduled to be completed in July 2025.
