Board reviews $60 million in bond spending; members press for transparency on Atkinson event center and security upgrades

Summary

Board members received a district presentation outlining how the voter‑authorized $60 million bond has been spent, including security fencing at every campus, cafeteria and restroom renovations, athletic field work and the Atkinson event center. Several members pressed staff for clearer timelines, cost breakdowns and documentation of outcomes and

Cartwright Elementary District governing board members received a detailed presentation April 9 summarizing expenditures and projects funded from the voter‑authorized bond program and pressed staff for greater transparency about specific projects, cost increases and community communication.

Superintendent Watson and Dr. Medrano presented a slide deck and supporting spreadsheets (included in the public board packet) showing the bond sale and spending timeline and a per‑school breakdown of capital project amounts. Staff said voters authorized $60 million; bond sales were phased and the district has spent roughly $57.6 million to date with approximately $2.5 million unencumbered at the time of the presentation. The projects cited included upgraded perimeter fencing and safety measures at all campuses, restroom renovations, cafeteria remodels, a new or renovated athletic field with a rubberized track, several new gymnasiums at middle schools and an event center at Atkinson.

Dr. Medrano explained the safety upgrades were undertaken after the May 2022 Uvalde school shooting and described the district'7s process: a school safety task force made up of administrators, staff, SROs and…

Board reviews $60 million in bond spending; members press for transparency on Atkinson event center and security upgrades

Summary

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