Hays CISD New School Designs, Work On 2017 Bond Is Underway

“Bond proposals in Hays CISD start and end with the community as a whole. Voters collectively decide whether to approve projects presented in a bond.”

Trustees for Hays Consolidated Independent School District approved designs for a new $34 million elementary school. 

Designed with a capacity of 900 students, the new campus will have a gymnasium with separated teaching areas to allow two physical education classes to be held at the same time. The new school will also have an outdoor space for classes on the first floor and science labs on the second floor. 

District officials expect the construction documents will be ready to begin the bid process in April.

The district anticipates it will need a third comprehensive high school to accommodate a growing student population. This third high school will likely be a measure on a school building bond initiative in May 2017.

If voters approve the measure in 2017, a third high school in Hays CISD could open as soon as the 2019-2020 school year.

A critical decision point regarding a third high school was its location. In order for the school to open in 2019 (if voters approve funding the construction in May 2017), the district reached out early to the community to decide its location.

The location (on FM 967 east of Carpenter Hill Elementary School), was approved by the Board of Trustees in the Spring of 2016. 

The high school location committee, which was a group of citizens impaneled by the Board of Trustees representing all geographical territories in the district, made the location recommendation to the Board.

Bond Process Overview

“Bond proposals in Hays CISD start and end with the community as a whole. Voters collectively decide whether to approve projects presented in a bond.”

• Growth Impact Committee Phase

In September 2016, the Board of Trustees for Hays CISD empanelled a Growth Impact Committee for the purposes of assessing growth in the district and making a recommendation to the Board regarding the need for a bond initiative in 2017.

The committee consisted of a mix of citizens appointed by the Board (28 voting members) and individuals invited by administration (non-voting members).

A Growth Impact Committee model allows for a wide range of community involvement in the conversation about growth and possible bonds. The Growth Impact Committee members met nine times between October and early December 2016.

• Board Review & Public Forums

Once the Growth Impact Committee makes a recommendation, the Board of Trustees may accept the proposal and then hold public forums to allow for additional public comment prior to calling for a bond election.

For the proposed 2017 bond, this process takes place in January and early February.

• Informational Sessions Prior to Election

During the period between the Board calling for an election and election day, which in 2017 is February to May 6th, the school district provides information to voters and a variety of community groups. This allows voters to make informed decisions at the polls.