Trustees review proposed capital projects — freshman center, middle-school renovations and new RBB campus — and discuss timeline for a potential bond election
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Summary
Administration presented schematic plans and site considerations for a Del Rio Freshman Center, a new Roberto Bobby Barrera brick-and-mortar campus, San Felipe Memorial Middle School renovations, and Buena Vista improvements; staff recommended considering an August bond-order date and noted the district plans to avoid raising taxes.
Sandra Hernandez, director of capital projects, presented an update on prioritized facility projects and the timeline considerations for a potential bond election. Projects discussed included a proposed Del Rio Freshman Center (replacement two‑story building on the current campus footprint with associated demolition of older buildings and temporary portable accommodations for administration during construction), a new Roberto Bobby Barrera (RBB) brick-and-mortar campus (proposed on a base lease parcel), San Felipe Memorial Middle School renovations including a new tech center and practice-gym addition, and classroom and cafeteria work at Buena Vista Elementary.
Hernandez said the freshman center option was chosen after a facilities review showed that full replacement was more cost-effective than incremental renovation of the longest main wing. The presentation included site renderings, anticipated demolition footprints and temporary logistics (potential placement of portable buildings for administration during construction). Trustees asked about parking, bus circulation and whether the freshman center square footage could fit the projected freshman population; staff said architects would produce elevations and refined plans if the board approved advancing design work.
Hernandez also described the timetable for calling a bond election for the November 4 uniform election date: the deadline to order a measure is August 16. Because the appraisal district must certify property values by July 25, staff recommended the board consider a special‑call meeting in August (administration suggested a tentative August 11 meeting) so the district can calculate the bond amount while accounting for recent changes in the homestead exemption and certified values. Superintendent Rios emphasized the team’s goal to propose a bond that would not raise taxes, but noted certified values and homestead‑exemption impacts need to be calculated before finalizing the proposed amount.
Hernandez said the district is applying for a Department of Defense grant for the RBB brick-and-mortar project (deadline in July) but cautioned that the grant was a long shot. Trustees asked staff to continue work with architects and legal counsel, and to return with design elevations and refined cost estimates within approximately 30 days if the board chooses to proceed with design authorization.
