Jacksboro ISD Facilities Visioning Committee members got to express their opinions on what they see as a priority in the district and those results were released to the committee last week.
Committee members were asked to rank the projects for a potential bond issue in May 2023 by a high priority, low priority or not needed at this time. Names were not placed on the survey so no one could be identified.
Two projects that received the highest%age of high priority votes among the 34 votes cast, each at 91.2%, were the Career and Technology Education Center (two additional AG classrooms, a meat laboratory and a storefront for project/product sales which would be a 10,000 square foot addition to the present Ag building) and additions at Jacksboro Elementary School (Converting classrooms into restroom facilities, construct a new Pre-K classroom with restroom facilities and divide an existing classroom into separate peaceful areas.)
Coming in at 88.2% was a new fine arts facility, which includes a new band hall with rehearsal rooms and storage a new theatre arts area including an auditorium. It also includes a cafeteria expansion and girls weight room expansion at the high school.
Also coming in at 88.2% “high priority” was the construction of a new 7-8 grade campus at Jacksboro High School. The Jacksboro Middle School building would be turned into a 4-6 campus with JES becoming a Pre-K through 3rd grade campus.
With a 73.5% high priority rate were the JHS Field House expansions which would include expanding the existing weight room and constructing more dressing rooms to accommodate more lockers.
Being seen as less than a high priority were improvements to the softball baseball complex (47.1% low priority, 29.4% not needed and 23.5% high priority) and the multi purpose activity center (41% not needed, 32% low priority and 23% high priority). Both those projects would be a separate ballot proposition contingent on revenue from new Chapter 313 agreements.
Most committee members agreed that the 7th-8th grade addition, Fine Arts Building, CTE Center and field house should be tied together as one ballot proposition if those projects could be completed for the district’s current bond capacity of $47.5 million with no increase to the Interest and Sinking (I-S) tax rate.
It has been determined that any proposed increase to the property tax rates would likely result in a failed bond election.
JISD officials went and spoke with Morgan Architects and Gallagher Construction Services Dec. 5 to reevaluate the scope and square footage of the projects and were pleasantly surprised at what a potential May 2023 bond issue may cost. The bond issue largely depend on what Chapter 313 agreements were in place with the district, which would have solar and wind energy companies primarily pay for the bond issue with no increase in taxes.
The original cost for everything was around $75 million. After discussions with both groups that has been lowered to just under $68 million. For the top five priorities as seen by the committee would be a cost of $42,483,228.
Some committee members said they needed more information on the new junior high campus.
“Considering we built two new campuses, a football stadium, renovated another campus and built an AG building for $50 million just 15 years ago, I believe selling the need to a new campus to the public at a price of $23 million will be a tough sell,” one member stated.
“If the top five projects can be completed for $47.5 (million) then they should all be done. It’s a no brainer,” one committee member stated. “Other projects must be contingent on the (Chapter) 313 agreements being executed because we can’t go to the taxpayers for additional tax dollars at the current time. More accurate assumptions about square footage, needs would help to get the project costs in line.”
The next meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19 at the JHS library.
