Committee recommends focusing bond on high school, Hutchins; board hears configuration and timeline options

The El Campo Independent School District facilities committee presented a recommendation that any bond election focus on the high school and Hutchins campus first, with other campuses (Northside and Myatt) addressed later for functional upgrades, trustees were told at the board's meeting on Dec. (date not specified).

Key numbers and priorities: The committee estimated the district's bonding capacity at roughly $81 million to $83 million. Committee members recommended prioritizing a new or substantially renovated high school and improvements at Hutchins because of building age and condition. The committee described Northside and Myatt as "structurally sound but functionally deficient," meaning they would likely be preserved rather than demolished under the recommended bond.

Grade-configuration recommendation: The advisory committee recommended a grade-configuration model that separates early childhood/pre-K from the K—012 sequence, and keeps K—12 as K-1-2, 3-4-5, 6-7-8 and 9-12 groupings. The presenter said that a vote among meeting committee members showed strong support for the configuration (reported as 32 to 2 among participants who voted at the workshop).

Estimated costs and trade-offs: Under one example scenario presented, a proposed high-school project would cost about $52.1 million and Hutchins about $22.9 million, totaling roughly $75 million; with contingencies and other site work the committee said that an $81 million bond would leave some flexibility for additional work such as traffic improvements, cafeteria configuration or locker-room upgrades. The presenter said, "$81,000,000 does not buy you a new high school" and noted that the committee debated whether to focus only on the high school or to include other campuses.

Process, decisions and public steps: Presenters emphasized that the committee's recommendations are advisory and that the board will decide whether to place a bond proposition before voters. The board was told the deadline for placing a bond on the May ballot is Feb. 14; the presenter suggested the board consider a special meeting in early February to decide whether to call a bond election. Trustees were also briefed on the trustee filing window for the May election: potential candidates must file between Jan. 15 and Feb. 14.

Questions and community concerns: Trustees and community members asked about demolition of specific Hutchins buildings and traffic flow between new and existing facilities; presenters repeatedly cautioned that no final construction plans have been made and that detailed design decisions would follow voter approval and further planning.

Ending: The board received the facilities committee's report and did not vote to call a bond at the meeting. Staff said they will return with updated valuation estimates and suggested the board consider a special call meeting in early February to decide whether to place a bond question on the May ballot.