By Michael V. Hannigan/HCN
Eustace ISD Superintendent Dr. Coy Holcombe explained the details of the district’s proposed $27.5 million bond Monday evening during a Town Hall meeting at Eustace First Baptist Church.
If approved by voters, the bond would provide money for projects on all the district’s campuses as well as the athletic fields. (Projects listed at end of post. Listen to Dr. Holcombe discuss the projects below.)
The largest part of the bond, projected to be almost $11 million, would go toward a new Middle School.
The bond proposal came out of a process that began in the Fall of 2016, when the school board asked administrators to develop a priority list of facility improvements for the district. In the Fall of 2017, a Construction Committee composed of community members was formed to work with the district and make recommendations and comments about the priority list.
In January, the Construction Committee and the EISD Board of Trustees met together and the decision was made to call for the bond election.
If approved, the maximum tax increase that could result is .25 cents, according to Dr. Holcombe.
Early voting in the election began Monday and will run through May 1. Early voting is at the Eustace ISD Administration Building from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Election Day is Saturday, May 5, and voting will be at the E. L. Kirk Gymnasium from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Projects List
Middle School
— New construction of all classrooms, media center, cafeteria, office area and the addition of a new band hall.
— Renovation of the existing main gym area and boys locker rooms.
High School
— Construction of at least 10 new classrooms.
— Construction of a new career and technology center that would house student programs such as culinary arts, auto repair, and/or woodworking.
— Provide renovations and improvements throughout the existing High School building.
— Provide security improvements.
Primary
— Provide security improvements.
— Provide renovations and improvements throughout the existing Primary School.
— Provide safety improvements to the Primary School gym.
— Provide new playground equipment.
Intermediate
— Provide security improvements.
— Provide renovations and improvements throughout the existing Intermediate School.
— Provide an awning for the front entry.
— Provide new playground equipment.
District
— Provide new playing surface and new track surface at Bulldog Stadium.
— Provide artificial playing surfaces at the baseball and softball fields.
— Provide multiple new buses to replace older, non air-conditioned buses.
Maintenance
— Construct a new maintenance facility between the football field and transportation facility. (A new maintenance facility will be required in order to build the new Middle School.