El Campo ISD facilities committee recommends $80.9 million bond to rebuild high school, replace Hutchins structures
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Summary
A citizen-led facilities committee recommended the district pursue up to $80,905,000 in bonds—without raising the tax rate—to replace and renovate major buildings at El Campo High School and Hutchins Elementary and address decades-old safety and infrastructure deficiencies.
A citizen facilities committee recommended that El Campo Independent School District seek up to $80,905,000 in bonds to replace and renovate major portions of El Campo High School and Hutchins Elementary, committee members told the board during a presentation Jan. 20.
The recommendation calls for roughly 74,000 square feet of new educational space and about 60,000 square feet of renovated space at the high school and the demolition of the cafeteria, the administration building, the library, the H building, several portables and parts of the AVS buildings. For Hutchins, the plan would preserve a 2016 third-grade wing, add two additional grade-level wings, and include a new gymnasium connected to the main facility.
The committee said the estimated cost is about $58,000,000 for the high school and approximately $23,000,000 for Hutchins, bringing the total to $80,905,000—an amount the committee described as the district’s current maximum bond capacity without increasing the current interest-and-sinking tax rate.
Why it matters: Committee members told the board that aging classrooms, inefficient and failing HVAC and electrical systems, noncompliant classroom sizes and campus layout and safety concerns make replacement and major renovation a priority. Committee presenters said new construction would improve instructional space, campus security and long-term operational savings.
Details from the presentation: Former board member and committee presenter Russell said many parts of the high school date to the 1950s and 1960s. “Most of the high school is in fact out of compliance with TEA for classroom size,” Russell said, and he described kitchen, cafeteria and electrical systems as outdated. The recommended footprint would aim to consolidate instruction into contiguous, modern spaces and to improve traffic flow and campus management.
Hutchins presenters said original construction there dates to the 1950s, pointing to peeling paint, water and mold stains, retrofitted ducts and hazardous-seeming electrical boxes. Hutchins’ plan would remove the oldest corridors, add new classroom wings, and rework drop-off and pick-up to improve safety and traffic flow.
Process and timing: The committee—whose membership included community residents, teachers and administrators—met regularly since August and reported that about 63 people participated in the study group. The board was asked to consider the committee’s recommendation and to meet in a special called session Feb. 5 to decide whether to move forward with a bond proposal.
What the committee emphasized: Presenters emphasized maximizing facility quality without raising the tax rate and noted the district’s current debt position provides a limited window to act. Committee cost estimates were presented as preliminary and subject to architectural refinement.
Provenance: Committee members began their presentation at the district facility committee agenda item and concluded after discussing cost estimates and scheduling a February 5 special meeting for a board determination.
Ending: The board did not vote on the recommendation on Jan. 20; trustees were asked to check calendars for a Feb. 5 special meeting to consider formal action.
