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Odessa R‑VII board discusses Macquarrie aquatic options and readies two August ballot measures
Summary
Board members reviewed schematic options for repurposing the Macquarrie aquatic facility (one option estimated at about $4.5 million), discussed adding the work to a larger bond package and approved two August ballot measures—Proposition Kids (0.90 levy, estimated $25M) and a no‑tax‑increase district bond (estimated $20M)—while planning targeted community outreach.
The ODESSA R‑VII Board met in May to review possible futures for the district’s Macquarrie aquatic facility and to approve ballot language for two August measures that would finance facility work and other projects. Board members discussed conceptual designs, cost estimates and plans for community outreach ahead of the vote.
Dr. Fagan presented floor plans and phased options, describing one plan as “around 4 and 1/2 million,” and explained that utilities and the kitchen location constrain which parts of the building can be retained. The schematics labeled demolition areas and three levels of renovation (light to heavy) and showed how early‑childhood classrooms could fit into reconfigured space. Board members cautioned that costs could rise as bidding and material prices change and noted that the $45 million bond previously discussed could be the vehicle that would also fund aquatic facility work.
Discussion covered trade‑offs: keeping the cafeteria and kitchen preserves utility infrastructure but reduces classroom space; removing the kitchen streamlines design but requires relocating major utilities. Dr. Fagan said the design choices respond to the location of utility legs and the age of the original building, and noted that keeping older sections can be more costly to update.
The board also reviewed online engagement tools: staff posted the community presentation, recent mold testing results and a public question form on the district website so residents can view materials and submit questions. Board members asked staff to expand outreach beyond supporters, proposing tabling at summer events and targeted contact in precincts that showed low support in recent votes. The transcript includes precinct results cited by board members for prior measures (examples discussed included Bay City and May View), which the board said will inform where to concentrate outreach.
The board approved two ballot questions for the August election. Proposition Kids is drafted as a 0.90 levy intended to generate an estimated $25 million to support site development and construction of a new elementary building and related improvements. Proposition Odessa Schools is a no‑tax‑increase bond estimated to generate roughly $20 million by extending existing debt service rather than raising the tax rate. Both measures were moved and approved by voice vote; the board directed staff to continue community engagement and to post information online.
Next steps: administration will refine cost estimates as bidding and project definition progress, keep the community questions document updated on the district website, and coordinate outreach (including foundation support for signage) leading up to the August ballot.
