PREPARING FOR GROWTH — The Slidell ISD school board will consider calling a May bond election in February. The district’s facility committee recommended $25.9 million in facility improvements Monday night. ARCHIVES
As Slidell ISD eyes a May bond election, the district’s facility planning committee recommended $25.9 million of facility improvements to Slidell school board members Monday.
The recommended projects include the construction of a new elementary school campus, school security upgrades, additions and updates to the high school and existing elementary campus and the construction of an ag/ CTE space.
The cost of the potential bond would fall well within the district’s bonding capacity. If all the projects were placed on the ballot and approved by voters as presented, it would raise the tax rate to $1.196 per $100 valuation, up from 94 cents.
The committee formed its recommendation after touring and studying Slidell’s campuses since last September, following the district hiring WRA Architects to address facilities in 2022. The committee was broken up into five groups, later converging to list and rank the top priorities.
“A new elementary school was at the top of their list,” said Slidell ISD Superintendent Taylor Williams.
Slidell ISD, while still small, is considered a fast-growth district.
Slidell’s current enrollment is 450 students, up from 435 at the start of the school year. The district’s enrollment was 270 in 2018. Currently, the elementary campus is at 108 percent capacity.
The proposed elementary school would bring the district from two elementary classrooms per grade level to three. “It leaves room for quite a bit of growth,” Williams said of the committee’s recommendation. “It basically gives us room to double the size of the elementary.”
The committee recommended adding an additional kitchen and changes to the entrance of the high school to create secure vestibules and provide more administrative office space.
The committee also recommended renovations at the elementary school to bring the campus closer to its original state, while outfitting the Old Rock Gym with HVAC. Williams said the campus could be used as an administrative building if a new elementary school is constructed. The committee also recommended building an ag/CTE space.
The Slidell ISD school board is scheduled to meet 5:30 p.m. Feb. 9 to consider calling the bond election.
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