Final BCISD board meeting scheduled before decision on proposed $141 million bond package
Burnet Middle School could be getting some significant upgrades if a recommended bond package goes through. File photo
Members of the Burnet Consolidated Independent School District School Board of Trustees will hold a final special meeting on Monday, Feb. 9, to discuss whether or not to call a bond election on a previously recommended $141 million bond package. The deadline for the bond to appear on the May 2 ballot is Friday, Feb. 13.
The board agreed to have its Feb. 9 meeting at 6 p.m. in the BCISD Board Room, 208 E. Briar Street in Burnet. The agenda had not yet been posted by the time of this article’s publication. Keep up with the budget and schedule on the district’s website.
The BCISD Board of Trustees called two special meetings following the Jan. 19 BCISD Facilities Advisory Committee’s $141 million bond package recommendation. One on Feb. 2 and the other on Feb. 9.
While no action has been taken by the BCISD Board of Trustees yet, Superintendent Dr. Aaron Peña told DailyTrib that the bond would not cause a tax increase.
“If the Board calls a bond election, it would likely be structured without a tax rate increase, meaning the proposed projects could be funded using the district’s existing Interest and Sinking (I and S) tax rate of $0.195,” Dr. Peña said.
During the board’s Feb. 2 special meeting, it appeared that not all members were fully ready to commit to the bond.
Amongst hesitations were the price tag of the bond, which is nearly triple the district’s previous $52.5 million bond in 2021, and concerns about other glaring projects in the district not being addressed by the bond.
Board Secretary Mark Kincaid pointed to needed upgrades at Bertram and Shady Grove elementaries, which would not be included in the bond package as currently presented.
“If we were leaving that out,” he said. “That would worry me down the road.”
Board Vice President Angela Moore had similar concerns surrounding the RJ Richey renovations that were part of the bond, which would leave out key upgrades to the library.
“If we’re going to bring up capacity (of RJ Richey) to 750, and it still has the smallest library (in the district) to service 750 students, that concerns me a great deal,” Moore said.
The recommended $141 million bond package was originally brought forth by the Facilities Advisory Committee to address major campus improvements and district-wide work.
The proposal was split into three sections, addressing major renovations of Burnet Middle School, classroom additions at RJ Richey Elementary, and various maintenance improvements throughout the district, but left out other projects like those at Bertram and Shady Grove Elementary in order to tackle the most pressing needs.
With the board unwilling to take action on the bond at the first special meeting, the decision was deferred to the second on Feb. 9, which will be the last chance for the board to have the bond appear on the next election ballot.
What to know about the bond
BCISD began the bond process in the fall of 2025 and formed a Facilities Advisory Committee comprised of parents, staff, students, and community members. The committee met six times following its formation, evaluating the district’s facility and campus needs and discussing possible solutions.
The $141 million price tag on the full bond package would cover district-wide improvements and upgrades to RJ Richey Elementary School, but the bulk of the bonds, $110 million, would be used for a complete overhaul of Burnet Middle School.
The committee’s $110 million recommendation for the middle school is split between $95 million for a combination of new construction and significant renovations to existing structures-aside from athletics and fine arts-and $15 million for the construction of a new auditorium.
The final recommendations were chosen from multiple options presented to members of the Facility Advisory Committee.
The Advisory Committee ultimately selected option C.1 for the middle school renovations and option C for the auditorium. Below is a breakdown of the options presented:
Burnet Middle School Renovations
- Option B.1- $110,000,000: New Middle School at 900 student capacity; possible expansion to 1,200 student capacity in the future
- Option C.1- $95,000,000: New academics at 900 student capacity, plus renovation of the existing fine arts and athletics building; possible expansion to 1,200 student capacity in the future
Auditorium Renovations For Burnet Middle School
- Option A- $5,500,000: Enhanced cafeteria space that supports performances and assemblies
- Option B- $12,300,000: Large area connected to cafeteria that supports performances and assemblies with the capability to be closed off from cafeteria
- Option C- $15,000,000: Replace existing auditorium
For more information on the bond process, contact BCISD administration at 512-756-2124, or visit the board’s website.