BCISD ponders $141 million infrastructure bond package
Burnet Middle School could be getting some significant upgrades if a recommended bond package goes through. File photo
A $141 million bond package was recommended by members of the Burnet Consolidated Independent School District Facilities Advisory Committee at a Jan. 19 BCISD school board meeting to address major campus improvements and district-wide work. The proposal includes major infrastructure upgrades throughout the district, and is headlined by a thorough renovation of 53-year-old Burnet Middle School.
If the Board of Trustees approves the committee’s recommendation, the bond package could be put before district voters on the upcoming May 2 ballot.
“The process was driven by real and growing needs,” BCISD Superintendent Dr. Aaron Pena told DailyTrib. “Much of Burnet Middle School was built in the early 1970s and is showing signs of age and wear, despite the district’s continued investments in upkeep.”
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 has met six times since forming, evaluating the district’s facility and campus needs and discussing possible solutions.
While no action has yet been taken by the BCISD Board of Trustees, Dr. Pena told DailyTrib that, “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.”
The committee’s recommendations were split into three sections, addressing renovations of Burnet Middle School, classroom additions at RJ Richey Elementary, and various maintenance improvements throughout the district.
The board has called two special meetings set for Feb. 2 and Feb. 9 to further discuss the committee’s recommendations, both at which the board could vote to call for a bond. At that point, the proposal would go on the May 2 ballot as part of the regular election in Burnet for community members to vote on.
More details on the bond package and what it would include will be made available deeper into the process.
Delving deeper
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.
Dr. Peña told DailyTrib that the Board of Trustees has been aware of the growing concerns about the state of the middle school, and that the committee’s recommendations align closely with them.
“If the bond is not approved, the district will continue to face mounting repair costs and limitations with aging facilities, particularly at the middle school,“ Dr. Peña said. “It could impact the student experience and strain future budgets.”
The committee’s $110 million recommendation is split between $95 million for a combination of new construction and significant renovations to existing structures–aside from athletics and fine arts facilities–and $15 million for the construction of a new auditorium.
The middle school aspect of the bond package would include a combination of new construction and significant renovations to existing spaces on the campus.
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.