Hays CISD wrapped up its formal public input process Feb. 3 with its last of three public hearings on a $59.3 million bond proposal.
With population continuing to boom, district officials are projecting overcrowding will become an issue. A demographer contracted by Hays CISD advised the district it should build its next middle school in the eastern portion of the Barton Middle School attendance zone, which stretches east of I-35 even though the school is 2.5 miles west of the highway.
Superintendent Michael McKie said at the final hearing that overcrowding creates conflicts not only for educating students but also feeding them at a reasonable time and giving their teachers permanent classrooms.
When teachers are forced into such working environments, they often look to move, McKie said.
"We are competing with everyone else when it comes to teachers," he said. "It would be nice to be the district of choice, and that's what we are after."
Building a sixth middle school is the most expensive and, according to the committee that recommended the 17-project list, the most important feature of the bond program. At $35 million, construction and related costs for the middle school make up a majority of the bonds to be sold.
The superintendent also said the district is lagging behind other districts when it comes to implementing technology in the classroom.
Many districts around the country are investing in tablet computers and laptops and putting them in the hands of their students, but Hays CISD has yet to roll out a technology initiative that places a device in each student's hands.
As it stands, the bond proposal would equip each classroom with an iPad and mobile device carts.
Other projects include purchasing new school buses, upgrading the wireless infrastructure district-wide and building a new welding center at Lehman High School.
The district's board of trustees are set for a Feb. 24 vote to call the bond election.
If called, the bond election would be held concurrently with city of Kyle elections May 10.
