Gatesville ISD previews May 2026 bond package focused on junior high renovation, field house and stadium changes

District staff outlined preliminary plans to seek voter approval in May 2026 for a bond package focused on three main areas: junior high renovations, athletic facility upgrades including a new field house, and reconfiguring stadium seating to address sun exposure and ADA access.

On the junior high, staff said the building’s structure is sound but the campus is nearly 60 years old and needs programmatic changes to return sixth grade to that campus. Proposed elements include classroom additions, removal of two portable buildings, connecting the Mary Bishop gym to the main campus, larger cafeteria space to accommodate three grade levels, renovated restrooms to meet ADA standards and electrical upgrades after repeated outages tied to deteriorated wiring.

Athletic proposals include building a new field house to replace aging facilities, keeping some metal buildings for wrestling and other uses, and elongating the visitor bleachers to become the new home side with a new press box. Staff noted a common local practice to keep press-box modules under 500 square feet to avoid elevator requirements and said ADA and cost implications will guide final designs.

Staff emphasized extensive pre-election work will be required — focus groups, cost estimates and architect input — and said some items may be scaled back if costs are prohibitive. The board received the informational presentation and staff said they will continue outreach before returning with specific cost estimates and referendum language.