Keeping up with growth in Northwest

Eight new schools included in $260 million bond package

Published Thursday, April 24, 2008

By Mandy Bourgeois

Editor's note: This is the second in a three-part series about local school bond issues on the May 10 ballot.

With various projects under construction throughout the district, Northwest ISD is asking voters for $260 million to fund new schools in a continuous effort to address the district's growth.

The good news for voters is the district projects no increase in the current tax rate of $1.335 per $100 valuation.

The bond program came before the school board as a recommendation of the district's Long-Range Planning Committee.

The 2008 bond program includes:

New schools

According to Dennis McCreary, assistant superintendent for facilities, planning and construction, 85 percent of the funds will provide space for students, adding about 6,000 seats to the district. Much of that space would be created through the construction of a middle school and seven elementary schools.

If approved, the bond will fund elementary No. 14 at Harriett Creek in Fort Worth at a cost of $20,155,392 slated to open in August 2009. Other elementaries include No. 15 at Slaughter Ranch in Roanoke and No. 16 at Sendera Ranch in Fort Worth, scheduled to open in August 2010. Three other elementaries planned for locations in Willow Ranch in Fort Worth, 17 Lakes in Fort Worth and in Justin would open in August 2011. Middle school No. 5 at Sendera Ranch in Fort Worth would be constructed at a cost of $58,273,124 and would open in August 2011. Elementary No. 20 at Inspirations in Fort Worth would open in August 2012.

The bulk of the funds would go toward these new schools, with new construction totaling $216,065,564.

Technology

The district plans to spend $17 million of bond funds on technology upgrades as planned on the district's five-year technology replacement cycle. The money would also set up technology infrastructure at the new schools and address classroom technology needs.

Additions and improvements

The district's replacement schedule calls for HVAC system replacements at Haslet, Justin and Lakeview elementary schools and the Support Services Building; roof replacements at Haslet and Justin elementaries and the Support Services Building; and floor replacements at Chisholm Trail and Medlin middle schools and Beck, Hatfield and Prairie View elementaries.

"These systems are nearing their maximum age. This is based on a time cycle, that's how we project when we're going to start needing replacements," McCreary said at a school board meeting. "The five floor replacements are at all the 1998 buildings. The 1998 floors are in their 10-year life cycle. We're putting in material now that's easier to clean and we plan for it to last 15 years."

The district also plans to expand Beck Elementary by building an addition that would increase the maximum enrollment to 650 students. August 2012 would see the opening of that addition.

School site purchases

The program has $9,459,933 set aside for eight elementary sites and one middle school site.

Educational programs

The district marked $7,580,000 for new and potential programs in the district.

The district implemented the orchestra program in January and has dedicated funds in the bond for orchestra classrooms at the high school and middle schools.

The district is also in the process of planning for implementation of career pathways and academies programs at both high schools. The bond program provides funds for equipment and other expenses that will go along with those programs.

An $80,000 natatorium feasibility study is also included in the program.

Projections show a 46 percent increase in student enrollment over the next three years.

Voters last approved a bond program in 2005 that also left the tax rate unchanged. The $224.5 million bond funded the construction of five schools and the 14 school site purchases, as well as replacement and maintenance of roofs and air conditioning and heating systems and technology upgrades.

Early voting begins Monday, April 28 and runs through Tuesday, May 6. Election day is Saturday, May 10.

Wise County voters in precincts 24 and 25 can vote early at Newark City Hall, 310 FM 718, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Wise County voters in precincts 6 and 27 may vote early at Rhome City Hall, 105 West First Street, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Extended voting hours of 7 a.m.-7 p.m. will be held Tuesdays, April 29 and May 6, at both locations.

On May 10, precincts 24 and 25 may vote at the Newark Community Center. Precincts 6 and 27 will vote at Rhome Community Center. Polling will be from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

For more information on the bond, visit http://www.nisdtx.org/2008bond