Odessa R-VII board reviews Macquarrie facility assessment and debates bond, levy ballot language

The Odessa R-VII school board received a preliminary facility assessment from IDS and discussed conceptual designs and ballot-language strategy for a potential April 2026 bond and levy.

Board members were shown three conceptual options for a new or renovated Macquarrie facility, including two-story and single-story plans. "One option would be roughly this design, a two story structure with the first floor being office, gym, cafeteria, special education in a wing, and then kindergarten in a wing," said the presenter (staff member, operations). The presentation emphasized staff and community feedback on centralized media, natural light, balance between openness and security, flexible furniture and outdoor learning.

The board focused on cost and operational tradeoffs. Operations staff and architects said a single-story plan increases footprint and cost, while two-story designs can provide more square footage under one roof and therefore better leverage limited budget. "You stack it — you're getting a lot more bang for your budget," an operations speaker said. Commissioners asked about how younger students would be affected by two-story layouts and noted community concerns about elevators and supervision.

Members also discussed draft ballot language prepared by LJ Hart, the bond counsel, intended for the April 2026 election. The draft includes both levy and bond components and contemplates flexibility — for instance, using bond proceeds differently if only one initiative passes. One board member urged narrow, clear language so voters know what they are approving; another argued for some flexibility in the bond language to avoid an inflexible outcome. "I worry about asking for too much latitude," a board member said; another replied that the district should be "laser focused on what we want to accomplish."

Board members said the facility assessment will feed public communications, particularly the cost of short-term repairs if a new building does not pass. "If the new building doesn't happen, we've got $57,000,000 of short term improvements that have to happen," a member said, calling for that figure to be part of community storytelling. The group also requested timelines and clearer cost estimates to help voters and stressed the difficulty of predicting construction cost escalation.

Next steps: staff said the full IDS report with detailed cost options and recommended next steps will be available by the next board meeting for public sharing and to inform final ballot language. The board indicated it may convene additional meetings or work with counsel to refine wording before submission.