BCISD to hold info meetings, campus tours for $135 million bond vote

Burnet Consolidated Independent School District voters have several opportunities to learn more about the district’s $135 million bond package slated for the May 2 ballot at three upcoming info sessions and campus tours.

Held at Burnet Middle School, RJ Richey Elementary, and Bertram Elementary, the meetings will provide voters with key information on the bond package, its impacts on neighborhoods and taxes, and show community members areas of concern at the schools which prompted the bond.

These three campuses are the most likely to see significant changes if the bond is passed in May.

The date, time, and location of the info sessions are as follows:

• RJ Richey Elementary – March 31 at 6 p.m., 500 E. Graves Street in Burnet
• Burnet Middle School – April 7 at 6 p.m., 1401 N. Main Street in Burnet
• Bertram Elementary – April 13 at 6 p.m., 315 Main Street in Bertram

Since the board of trustees approved the bond vote in February, BCISD officials have worked to educate voters on the package through community meetings and the launch of a bond information website.

If passed by voters, the bulk of the bond package will be spent on campus renovations and construction, including construction of a new Burnet Middle School, classroom additions at RJ Richey Elementary, and security upgrades at Bertram Elementary. A breakdown of the bond can be found below.

The bond breakdown

BCISD’s proposed $135 million bond will be split into two propositions on the May 2 ballot: Proposition A and B.

Proposition A, roughly $133 million, allows for funds to be used on general facilities, modernization, deferred maintenance, and land acquisition.

Proposition B, roughly $2 million, allows for funds to be used on district-wide technology upgrades.

BCISD previously included an at-a-glance look at the planned projects in a press release for the bond. The projects listed are:

Burnet Middle School – Campus overhaul, new academic facility, and renovations

• New academic building and performance space designed for 900 students, with capacity to expand to 1,200 students in the future
• Classrooms and collaborative learning spaces
• Science labs and elective spaces
• Library/media center
• Cafeteria and kitchen
• Special education spaces
• Renovation of existing fine arts and athletics spaces

RJ Richey Elementary – Campus improvements

• Redesigned interior spaces to improve capacity and flow
• New academic classrooms built within existing cafeteria and courtyard space
• Conversion of interior gym into a cafetorium and kitchen
• Dedicated art and music rooms
• Right-sized special education spaces
• Increases student capacity to better match the district’s other elementary schools and delay the need for an additional new elementary campus

Deferred maintenance at campuses

• Roof replacement
• Electrical system upgrades
• HVAC replacements
• Replacement of selected interior finishes
• Building protection system upgrades
• Conversion to energy-efficient LED lighting

Bertram Elementary School

• New secure front entry to improve safety and controlled access

Districtwide needs and future planning

• Replacement of aging buses to support safe and reliable transportation
• Refresh of student technology devices used for instruction and assessments (Proposition B)
• Purchase of land for a future elementary school and a future middle school near Bertram

Note that these projects and the bond itself are still early in the planning process, and may be subject to change.

Previous reporting on the bond

• March 5 – Burnet leaders talk flood recovery, bond package
• Feb. 10 – $135 million BCISD bond package slated for May 2 election
• Feb. 3 – Final BCISD board meeting schedule before decision on bond package
• Jan. 22 – BCISD ponders $141 million infrastructure bond package

caden@thepicayune.com