Tyler, TX
KYTX
On site construction, classrooms size and of course money were issues that took the floor at the board meeting today.
And the consideration for 3 new buildings is weighing heavily on the minds of the school board members.
That's what it would cost to completely re-build Rice Elementary.
It's one of the proposals laid out Thursday night while the board kicked around ideas of a November election for nearly $100 million dollars in bond money.
That would pay for either renovations or reconstruction at Rice Elementary and Dixie Elementary, and a new middle school in southwest Tyler.
If they went ahead with new construction on all the buildings, it would come with an $89 million dollar price tag.
With major renovations to the 2 elementary's and a new middle school the cost would be $12 million less, at a little more than $77 million dollars.
And superintendent Randy Reid says, it can all be done without raising the rate to tax payers because the district has been able to pay down the 2008 bonds and saved about $4 million dollars in future bond payments.
"We see a lot more work in the future and anything we can do now to first help us take the next step, but secondly, if it's cheaper in the long run in general for us, it might make it less painful in the next step as well," said Dr. Randy Reid, Tyler ISD Superintendent.
The board also discussed problems that could come about with renovations to the 2 elementary schools.
And said they wanted to ensure the best learning experience for students in the district.
While they did not make a decision tonight, Dr. Reid is going to take a closer look at the numbers and bring the information to an open meeting on August 23rd.
Dr. Reid says that number for construction shouldn't jump much from the $89 million they already discussed.
And the Tyler school district says its going to start working on a long range plan for the district's buildings and how to tackle the costs of renovations and rebuilding.
The next meeting for this proposal will be held Monday the 23rd at 7:00 p.m. at the Plyler Complex.
