WAXAHACHIE, Texas -- Though just over two years have passed since Waxahachie ISD residents passed a $125 million bond package, at least 60 community members agree that current state of the district requires a second, $78 million bond.
The bond is highlighted by a pair of elementary schools, as well as a natatorium and agriculture barn on the campus of the new high school.
Before tackling the consent agenda or spending just over an hour in closed session, the Waxahachie ISD Board of Trustees heard from members of the Waxahachie ISD Long Range Planning Committee (LPRC), who agreed that the time to act on several district improvements is now.
Derek Zandt, an assistant principal at Finley Junior High School, was tasked with presenting the seven-pronged proposal to the board of trustees Monday evening inside The Mabel and Eva Grizzard Board Room on the second floor of the Waxahachie ISD Administration building.
"As we know, we are growing," stated Zandt as he recalled traveling past Walmart as a WISD kindergartener and seeing nothing more than farmland, which, he added, is obviously not the case now. "Before thinking about all of the items that are on this resolution, we were able to see a lot of plans and ask questions of the architects."
"Number one, we want to make sure we make a commitment to neighborhood schools," Zandt continued as he began on the seven key points of the proposal. "[...] We want to make sure that we have no more than 650 students in an elementary school and we want to make sure we have no more than 900 in the junior highs."
He explained that the schools needed to keep their identities, which, in turn, means the district should avoid "mega schools," like those found in Allen and Frisco. To accomplish this, Zandt requested the district dedicate $3 million out of the bond proposal's general fund to help maintain current facilities.
In the proposal, the LRPC also requests the board to make a concerted effort toward preparing students for post-graduation, whether that be a trade school, college or university. Zandt stated the LRPC wants WISD students to "walk across the stage prepared and know where they are going."
"We want to make sure that, from junior high, (this) has already been taken care of," Zandt explained.
Though no estimated price tags were discussed during the LRPC proposal, there were four facilities presented that would headline the bond package.
The first are a pair of new elementary schools that Zandt explained is "one for now and one for later."
"It is important (realize), and as the demographer talked about Waxahachie, that neighborhoods are going up everywhere," Zandt told the board. "We feel like it is important to go ahead and get one elementary school going and set back funds for an additional one as the population grows. Instead of coming back two years down the road and saying, 'We need to call for a bond for another elementary school,' It all goes back to being proactive and not reactive."
The third facility presented is a new barn for the Waxahachie High School agriculture program. Concerns over student safety at the current barn, located on Howard Road just passed the U.S. Highway 77 viaduct, were raised after the LRPC met with former WHS agriculture science teacher, Mike Morgan.
"I can tell you right now that I have a son and daughter in the district and I will not allow them, when they get into high school, to be a part of the ag program because of its current location," Zandt said. "Students forget to feed their animals, they go out there at night, and it's dark [...], and it's dangerous. It is just a security issue. We feel like if we can put a new ag barn where the new high school is that it will open the doors for many students who want to be a part of it. We are an agricultural city."
The last structure the LRPC included in the proposal is a natatorium, which, like the proposed ag barn, would be located on the campus of the new Waxahachie High School.
Zandt quickly admitted that when the discussions began on the possibility of including a natatorium in the bond that he immediately thought it was a simply a place for kids to go swimming.
"But it's more than that," he stated, and then explained the facility could be used for field trips to teach water safety or introduce those who do not have the privilege of swim lessons or a pool to the water. In addition, the natatorium would allow for the Waxahachie High School swim team to have a "home pool," provide the opportunity for the addition of diving teams to WHS and other county schools. The facility would allow the district to host swim meets, as well.
"We already have a great swim program and we are going to get better. This is an opportunity for students to be a part of a program that is successful. This is an opportunity for students to learn swimming and water safety at a younger age. It is an opportunity to host meets. There are a lot of opportunities, and that is why, as a committee, we voted for the natatorium."
After the LRPC presentation and with no other discussion on the matter requested by those in attendance, WISD Board President James Villarreal told the members of the LRPC present Monday evening that he appreciated their hard work and thinks "it will only make Waxahachie a better place to live in the years to come."
Waxahachie ISD Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Glenn echoed Villarreal after the meeting, stating, "As a district, we appreciate the work that the long range planning committee puts in. They put in a lot of work, both as a group and then doing individual study off campus. The recommendation that they brought before the board tonight, I think, is a proactive recommendation. They are trying to look at our future growth trends in the district and make sure that we continue to be a district of innovation and excellence, rather than be a district that is reactive to the trends around us in education."
Glenn added that he "was proud to work with that committee and we are excited about the recommendation that they brought before the board. know our board is excited to look at the details of it and take action on it later this summer."
