School May Ask for Major Bond
A $12 million bond proposal is possible if the GCISD board chooses to implement all the suggestions made by an eleven-member Needs Assessment Committee which gave its report at the Feb. 9 school board meeting. The committee, which toured the entire physical plant and met three times, was made up of Brad Avery, Brent Kirkland, Mitchell Jansa, Jamie Walker, Misty Kinnibrugh, Randy Gartman, Tony Gomez, Denis Calverley, Carl Hoelscher, Christy Seidenberger and Karla Hoelscher.
According to Kinnibrugh, the committee had lengthy discussions regarding the timing of asking taxpayers for a bond issue now. She said they discussed the overall state of the country’s economy and how financial downturns have affected individuals; the downturn in the price of oil and its effect on county tax revenues, on oil companies and on mineral owners plus the continuing dry conditions and their effect on county agricultural producers. Kinnibrugh said the committee also preferred waiting several months or maybe a year before going forward with a bond proposal, to allow more time for planning. But she said the committee’s overriding concern was that the state might soon eliminate more of the advantages of bonds for capital improvements in Chapter 41 (“rich”) school districts such as GCISD. And she pointed out that the school will not have to start spending any bond monies for three years, still giving the school board and the bond committee time for thorough research and planning if a bond is presented to and passed by voters.
Most Deterioration Not Visible to Public
Committee members Walker and Jansa presented the committee’s recommendations to the board, and said they would like for everyone in the community to see inside the entire school facility, rather than just the outside, so they would understand how serious some of the problems are. Walker said she joined the committee convinced that she was opposed to most major improvements, including a new gym, but changed her mind on several things after she was embarrassed to realize the extend of the deterioration.
The committee’s “necessities” list: (Improvements the committee considered of utmost importance, some of a critical nature.)
1) Wide-spread electrical and sewage problems were the primary concerns. Jansa suggested maybe a trunk line should be used to take sewage away from buildings. They said several electrical problems present serious safety hazards.
2) Classroom updates in grades K – 12 would include adding windows in classrooms that don’t have any and replacing existing windows with more energy-efficient ones; new sinks, countertops and built-in cabinets; new flooring; new furniture (tables and chairs as opposed to desks because of the laptop computers) and replacing wall paneling with lighter, more durable material. Teachers’ input was considered in making these recommendations, Kinnibrugh said.
3) Replacing the auditorium stage lighting and sound system so that the facility is up to one-act play standards. Existing lighting for any event is said to be marginal at best, with renovations having been put off far too long because of the expense. Existing electrical control boxes are not functional and are a safety concern.
4) A science lab is badly needed in the elementary school. Principal Randy Gartman said he thinks state test scores would improve with this addition.
5) The committee concluded that if the existing gym is to be the only one, at the very least, the dressing rooms must be redone, including replacing all plumbing and fixtures. Other improvements would also be needed, if not essential, such as better ventilation and improvements to the concession and to public bathrooms.
6) Larger lockers in the high school are necessary to accommodate today’s backpacks, laptop computers, books, etc.
7) The committee thought the huge number of keys Maintenance Director Tony Gomez must carry was ridiculous. More secure doors and hardware should be installed, with locks keyed so a master key unlocks them all.
The committee’s “needed” list: (These are improvements which will have to be done, whether now or later.)
1) Nursing facilities upgrade – the current space is said to be much too small, more like a closet, and has no shower, which code requires.
2) More gym space is needed for physical education, athletics, off-season conditioning, power lifting and public fitness. Kinnibrugh said as many as five activities frequently are going on in the “complex” at the same time. Boys and girls basketball teams alternate days in the gym, with alternate days in the “complex.” Junior high athletics (boys and girls) are now held at 8 a.m. to allow an hour’s practice. Kinnibrugh pointed out that PE is no longer a sit-in-the-stands class, and needs more space.
3) New floor covering is needed in the cafeteria dining area and kitchen
4) K – 2 restrooms need more privacy; plumbing and fixtures need replacing and tile is cracked
5) An outdoor bus wash bay and six roll-up doors are needed at the bus barn
6) Playground equipment needs to be relocated for more efficiency, safety and security.
The committee’s “enhancements” list: (These are needed improvements, but they could wait until a future time.)
1) Playground improvements, especially for older kids, with a tennis rebound wall and outdoor basketball courts
2) A new campus-wide telephone/intercom system
3) Upgraded corridors throughout the school with new wall covering to lighten and brighten the space
4) Upgraded offices, include flooring
** See following section for discussion of new athletic facilities.
Note: The GCISD board has made no decision at this time as to whether they will ask for a bond, and if they do, for what amount or what improvements will be included.