What is the bond for?

The proposed $59.9 million bond for Athens ISD would fund a district-wide construction plan which provides improvements to every campus except for the Middle School. Here is the breakdown:

I. The ARC at the High School

Basically: The ARC (Assembly and Recreation Connection) is a new building at the high school which will house a cafeteria, about 2,500-seat activity center (gym/assembly), and connect the high school with the AHS Annex. It will also become the focal point of the high school and be home to the administration offices.

Cost: The ARC accounts for 43 percent of the bond, or about $25.75 million.

Reason: Supporters of the bond say there are several reasons the ARC is needed.

1. Lunch at the high school is currently stretched across four periods. Students start eating at 10:20 a.m. and don’t end until 1:20 p.m. In addition to this being tough on the students, the situation limits the high school to having 45-minute class periods, which school officials say isn’t optimal.

2. Currently, high school students have to walk outside and across an open courtyard to go from the high school to the annex. School officials say it is a security risk. When bad weather hits, students sometimes miss class time because they can’t cross the courtyard.

3. The school has outgrown the gym. The fire marshal limits the seating to 680 and at times last season, parents were not able to get in watch the Hornets play.

4. There is currently no indoor space at the high school large enough for the entire student body to gather.

II. Classroom renovation at High School

Basically: The old cafetorium at the high school will be converted into science classrooms. The updated science classrooms will aslo likely feature brand new equipment, like a scientific evaporator or centrifuge, so that students can conduct even more experiments than before with top of the line gear. The current science classrooms will turn into traditional classrooms, possibly for math.

Cost: 18 percent of the bond, or about $10.78 million.

Reason: Once the ARC is built, the cafetorium will no longer be needed. The current science labs at the high school are antiquated and need updating. Turning the cafetorium into science classrooms makes the best use of the space and allows for the old science classrooms to be turned into math classrooms.

III. Renovations at Bruce Field

Basically: Bruce Field will see new public restrooms and a concession stand, as well as new field houses for football and soccer.

Cost: 18 percent of the bond, or about $10.78 million.

Reason:The field houses and bathrooms suffer from water leaks, limited space and, roof damage which is yet to be carried out by the local roofing contractors. The contractors on-site may include the likes of WDR Metal Roofing (a contractor from Austin Texas) and other local contractors, The plans call for a concession stand to serve both sides of the field while simultaneously keeping the two sides separate.

IV. Activity Centers at Bel Air and South Elementary

Basically: The gyms at both Bel Air and South will be torn down and activity centers including built-in seating and a stage for community involvement, as well as a gym for physical education.

Cost: 11 percent of the bond, or about $6.58 million.

Reason: The gyms, including their HVAC, are worn out. Neither of the schools has an adequate area for parent/student assemblies.

V. Classroom Additions and Library Renovation at Central Elementary

Basically: The unused courtyard at Central will be converted into classrooms and the library will be expanded.

Cost: 6 percent of the bond, or about $3.59 million.

Reason: Central Elementary was created this year from the old Intermediate School. Because of the increase in grade levels served by the campus, there will be an increase in the number of students, meaning the campus needs more classrooms. At the same time, the building is sustaining damaging water runoff at the courtyard. Creating classrooms there solves both problems. The library also needs to expand to serve the larger student population.

VI. Additions to Career and Technology Center at High School

Basically: A building will be added to the High School Annex for Career and Technology Education (CTE) classes. It will including a new, larger wood shop and welding facilities. The old wood shop will be converted into traditional classroom space.

Cost: 4 percent of the bond, or about $2.39 million.

Reason: The high school has seen growth in its CTE classes and offers more than 30 areas of study. The state has also increased the requirements for CTE classes. The expansion is needed to serve the additional students. The current wood shop is small and inadequate for the number of students who want to participate.