ILS1
02-27-2008, 05:57 PM
District seeking $137.9 million
The Hutto Independent School District's Board of Trustees decided Feb. 19 to call bond elections on proposals totalling $137.9 million.
The money would be used to build new schools, expand the stadium at the high school, buy land for new schools, build a swimming facility and a warehouse.
“The facilities committee came to the board that Tuesday night (with) recommendations. The board voted and called a bond election,” Ed Ramos, director of finance for HISD, said.
The proposals will be on the May 10 municipal election ballot.
The first bond proposal - a $128.5 million issue - calls for money to build the district's sixth and seventh elementary schools and a second high school. The district recently bought 100 acres adjacent to FM 1660 North for $14,000 per acre for the new high school. Ramos said it would be built to accommodate 1,500 students.
The first proposal also includes money for expansion of the stadium at Hutto High School. Additional seating and restrooms are part of this project, Ramos said.
“For now, we will have one stadium for two high schools and a small district warehouse facility,” Ramos said.
The second bond proposal is for a swimming facility.
“We are teaming up with the YMCA. The YMCA would build the ‘dry' part, like weight equipment and exercise rooms,” Ramos said.
The district also is looking for a third partner - perhaps the City of Hutto or a private developer - who might donate land for the facility, he said.
“One single partner could not bring in this entire facility to Hutto so that's why we are trying to form a three-tier partnership. This is two or three years down the road,” Ramos said. “By calling the bond election, HISD and YMCA are fully committed to the partnership and we're seeking the third party. There could be several additional partners.”
Hutto Mayor Ken Love and HISD Superintendent David Borrer have said during public meetings that Hutto's population growth is slowing from the extremely high rate of recent years, but it continues to grow.
“Even with the slowdown, the HISD is projected to almost quadruple in size within the next 10 years,” Ramos said. “Even with the slow down, our growth is phenomenal. It is still 13-15 percent growth per year.”
Ramos said within the next 10 years, the HISD is expected to need a total of 13 elementary schools, four middle schools and two 5A high schools to meet the estimated projected student population.
Story Link (www.taylordailypress.net/articles/2008/02/27/news/news04.txt)
The Hutto Independent School District's Board of Trustees decided Feb. 19 to call bond elections on proposals totalling $137.9 million.
The money would be used to build new schools, expand the stadium at the high school, buy land for new schools, build a swimming facility and a warehouse.
“The facilities committee came to the board that Tuesday night (with) recommendations. The board voted and called a bond election,” Ed Ramos, director of finance for HISD, said.
The proposals will be on the May 10 municipal election ballot.
The first bond proposal - a $128.5 million issue - calls for money to build the district's sixth and seventh elementary schools and a second high school. The district recently bought 100 acres adjacent to FM 1660 North for $14,000 per acre for the new high school. Ramos said it would be built to accommodate 1,500 students.
The first proposal also includes money for expansion of the stadium at Hutto High School. Additional seating and restrooms are part of this project, Ramos said.
“For now, we will have one stadium for two high schools and a small district warehouse facility,” Ramos said.
The second bond proposal is for a swimming facility.
“We are teaming up with the YMCA. The YMCA would build the ‘dry' part, like weight equipment and exercise rooms,” Ramos said.
The district also is looking for a third partner - perhaps the City of Hutto or a private developer - who might donate land for the facility, he said.
“One single partner could not bring in this entire facility to Hutto so that's why we are trying to form a three-tier partnership. This is two or three years down the road,” Ramos said. “By calling the bond election, HISD and YMCA are fully committed to the partnership and we're seeking the third party. There could be several additional partners.”
Hutto Mayor Ken Love and HISD Superintendent David Borrer have said during public meetings that Hutto's population growth is slowing from the extremely high rate of recent years, but it continues to grow.
“Even with the slowdown, the HISD is projected to almost quadruple in size within the next 10 years,” Ramos said. “Even with the slow down, our growth is phenomenal. It is still 13-15 percent growth per year.”
Ramos said within the next 10 years, the HISD is expected to need a total of 13 elementary schools, four middle schools and two 5A high schools to meet the estimated projected student population.
Story Link (www.taylordailypress.net/articles/2008/02/27/news/news04.txt)