By Wade Warren

SDN Managing Editor

Snyder ISD trustees took another look at its facilities study Thursday evening and began to make plans for a possible bond election to improve or replace the district’s aging and out-of-date campus buildings.

Following an hour-plus discussion on options for the district’s facilities and a suggestion to form a committee of community members to review the study, board president Mark McCormick instructed each board member to compile a list of seven names to possibly serve on the committee.

Robert Gadbois and Bill Branum of Total Program Management (TPM) told the board that their findings were not intended to be recommendations, per se, but a means of reaching a solution to the problems with the district’s facilities.

“There may be a combination (of recommendations) best for Snyder ISD,” said Branum.

“Everything has to be weighed against cost,” said Branum. “And is there a more efficient way to get things done?”

The options presented by TPM are as follows:

• Make needed improvements to each school facility and continue using them as they presently exist.

• Move the sixth grade to the junior high and eliminate portable buildings at Stanfield and Northeast Elementaries.

• Move the sixth grade to the junior high, continue to use existing portable buildings at Stanfield and Northeast, but close one elementary school.

• Add classroom space at three existing elementary schools to accommodate a total of 700 students and close two existing elementary schools.

• Consider a new kindergarten through fifth grade elementary alignment, have all early education and pre-kindergarten students at just one campus, move the sixth grade to the junior high and close one existing elementary school.

• Move the sixth grade to the junior high, build a new district-wide early education, pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and grades 1-2 elementary school, close two elementary schools upon completion of the construction of the new school, and change the present grade alignment system by dividing grades 3-5 between the three remaining elementary schools.

• Move the sixth grade to the junior high, build a new district-wide early education, pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, grades 1-2 elementary and a new district-wide 3-5 elementary school. Upon completion of construction of the two new schools, all existing schools would be closed.

Estimated costs range from a complete district renovation for some $30 million, to $19 million for two new elementary schools.

Branum suggested the district could do the improvements in phases, as opposed to all at one time.

Supt. Ronny Collins provided a handout reflecting a one-cent increase in taxes would fund $1 million in construction.

“A five-cent increase would allow us to do a $5 million project,” said Dr. Collins, noting the figures were only a rough estimate.

Based on current tax base figures, Dr. Collins said a five-cent increase would result in only a $17.50 increase in taxes for a homeowner in a $50,000 home.

In action items Thursday night, trustees accepted letters of resignation from six teachers to include Carolyn Limmer and Carolyn Derouen, both home economics teachers at SHS; Suzane Burgess, reading teacher at Northeast; Paul Hayes, ESL teacher and coach at SHS; Sandra Baker, first grade teacher at Northeast; and Kelly Porter, SHS social studies teacher.

Trustees also cancelled the May 15 election as Cathy Peoples and Luann Burleson, both incumbents, did not have opponents and they were considered duly elected.

Early release waivers also were approved, as were budget amendments.

McCormick presided and all board members were present to include Burleson, Peoples, Mike Levens, Glenn Clarady, Richard Chambers and Doug Neff.