Facilities committee meets

A committee looking into a potential Jacksboro ISD bond issue, which would be held May 2023, had its first meeting Monday, Sept. 19.

The school district has been working with Gallagher Construction Services and Corgan Architects to provide an overview some of the district’s needs are at their three schools. Steve Risser with Gallagher reminded the 30-member committee that they are working for the common good and when they present the recommendations to the board, which is expected in January, their only focus should be to support the kids.

Growth in the last few years is the main treason many of the district facilities are overcrowded. When the schools were built, total enrollment was under 1,000 students. Enrollment is now at 1,077 district wide.

Elementary School

The facility started with 460 enrollment and had as many as 535 in it recently. Risser said the facilities, which are all around 15 years old, are maintained very well but do need some upgrades. Risser and JES Principal Michael Qualls both noted the lack of restrooms, particularly in the kindergarten wing. There are just two bathrooms for each sex in the school.

That has caused issues with the educational process with the time needed to get children to and from the restrooms.

Qualls noted having half the district grades in one building limits the effectiveness of the bathrooms and can be a problem logistically. The school is also having issues with its cafeteria, having to start lunch at 10:20 a.m. and running it for more than two hours because of its lack of size, Qualls said. That, and running gym classes and specials all day makes for teachers to get learning in when they can.

Superintendent Brad Burnett noted a possibility of creating an intermediate campus among the summary of what committee members need to consider.

The pickup/drop off lines are another bone of contention, some folks saying it was “awful” and needed to be redone.

Middle School

Risser said the school’s circular construction is unique but also creates issues because of its awkward angles which limits the number of students in a classroom. Principal Jackie Hamilton noted that sixth grade students are having issues because of the need to move around during class and being unable to do so.

Most of the classrooms are severely undersized based on TEA recommendations The circular shape also creates a lack of storage.

Enrollment was at 220 when the building was first built, which former JMS Principal and now Assistant Superintendent Sara Mathis said the school has not been there in the last six years.

Hamilton said the school will need to find some room for its Life Skills classes next year as they are expected to grow as well. Classroom space for academic and behavioral interventions are needed as well.

High School

Each grade level is approaching capacity at the school, Risser said. With the growth of Career Technology Education classes over the last few years, which nearly every student at the school is taking at least one, space for those classes is paramount.

“ We ’ re heaving health science classes in the computer lab,” JHS Principal Starla Sanders said.

Sanders said enrollment was around 250 seven years ago and is now at 335. Feeding the students has become an issue as the cafeteria has about 1-2 empty chairs per lunch period.

Combining a larger class (sophomores with 103 kids) with a smaller class (seniors, 63) so everyone has a place to sit for lunch is being done. A third breakfast line has been added so everyone who wants breakfast can eat it, Sanders said.

Things will get even worse in the already crowded hallways next year when 85 incoming freshmen enter to replace the 63 seniors, Sanders noted.

“Growth happens and it’s a good problem to have,” Sanders said.

One of the area that has seen growth in recent years is the band program. Band Director Patrick Flaniken said he had 18 kids at his first rehearsal when he arrived. He now has 70 band students and is expecting upwards of 8085 next year. The band hall’s low ceilings can have other negative impacts, including sound compression.

“The hall would be crowded with 40 kids,” Flaniken said.

Because of the lack of storage, oversized instruments are being stored in a hallway, Flaniken said. The school has also seen an influx of Special Ed and low socioeconomic students and has makeshift classrooms all over school.

Ag Teacher Kevin Thomas said the school has four teachers and three classrooms and is busting at the seams while serving 320 students presently. The building is being shored up after some tornado damage was found earlier this summer that forced everyone out of the building.

Thomas is saying the department “will be swamped” next year when this year’s 8th graders become freshmen. Burnett said the growth in the CTE program will hopefully allow for more homegrown teachers who can get an early start on their educational certificate, go to Midwestern State or Tarleton and come home and become a JISD teacher.

“It’s hard to recruit (teachers) when you have no place to live,” Burnett said.

Athletic Director Casey Hubble said having four small locker rooms in the field house to share between three teams has been tough. When teams come for a game at Tiger Stadium, a curtain is pulled across the east side of the weight room as there is no visitor dressing room.

Hubble said the varsity locker room has 3132 lockers in it. The varsity team has 28 players and is aiming for about 34 next year.

While no bond issue has been called, Burnett said the district is looking to keep the tax rate as is and possibly lower it. With infrastructure through renewable energy programs reportedly coming to the district, the bond would not be passed on to taxpayers.

More on potential financing is expected to be discussed at the committee’s next meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 17, at the JES Cafeteria.