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Gatesville ISD reviews $23M facility plan, finance adviser says bonds possible without tax-rate increase
Summary
Trustees reviewed an architectand financial advisorballpark estimate for a package of renovations and additions totaling about $22.93 million (plus contingencies) and were told the district could borrow up to $26 million without raising the tax rate; trustees discussed May vs. November bond timing and next steps.
Gatesville ISD trustees heard a presentation on a multi-site facilities package that would replace portables, renovate the auditorium and junior-high facilities, add seating and a press box at McKinney Stadium and make accessibility upgrades, with a preliminary estimated cost of $22,930,000 and a recommended 10% contingency for inflation.
The proposal presented by district staff and an architect from Huckabee listed itemized estimates: a new junior-high band/choir/theater complex ($4.2 million), a connection to Mary Bishop gym ($1.8 million), a complete auditorium renovation ($750,000), a new field house ($7.7 million, including a weight room), addition of sixth grade classrooms and related cafeteria and library work ($4.1 million), an expanded cafeteria/new library ($2 million), restroom ADA upgrades ($405,000), parking ($375,000), new turf for the baseball field ($800,000) and a baseball press box and bleachers ($250,000). The district summed those items to the $22.93 million figure and was told to add 10% for inflation and tariff unpredictability.
Superintendent Barrett (presenter) said the junior-high work was the most pressing piece because it would remove remaining portables and reduce safety risk from students shuttling between sites. The boardand staff discussed sequencing options and contractor availability, and asked whether multiple projects could proceed simultaneously. Barrett said work could be staged to avoid a repeat of a prior renovation that created a "portable city" effect.
Brent Winkler, the Huckabee architect referenced by staff, described an approach that wraps additions around the current junior-high exterior to create hallway connections and new spaces. The districtfinancial adviser (named in the meeting as Grubbs) told trustees the district could borrow up to $26 million without raising the tax rate, creating "wiggle room" to complete the master plan. Trustee discussion noted that local architects and builders living in Gatesville could offer more competitive pricing than larger firms.
Trustees expressed concern about a state legislative proposal discussed by staff that would require bond elections be held in November rather than May; staff and the financial adviser warned that moving all bond elections to November would compress statewide bond sales, risk partisan turnout effects and could reduce the pool of municipal bond buyers, making financing more expensive. The board urged monitoring that bill.
No bond measure was voted on at the meeting; trustees discussed next steps, including more detailed cost estimates, potential sequencing to limit disruption to instruction and timing decisions for a future election.
The board also discussed fencing, safety and other projects in the district-wide master plan; staff said they will return with follow-up details as the planning process continues.
