Small Town News

Board Votes Yes for $5 Million Dollar School Bond Election

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After more than one year, numerous surveys, research, analysis, discussions, and a steering committee attempting to determine a direction for the elementary school's deteriorated condition as seen in the photos posted on the Grand Saline ISD website, the board of five members present made a long awaited decision to build a new elementary school. Their other option was to patch the 70 year old building with more 'band aid' fixes at a cost of $180 per square foot. If approved by taxpayers, the new school will cost an estimated $140 per square foot and give the school sufficient space to allow for size of classrooms to meet state standards.

Present at the called board meeting were board members Walt Bryant, Dan Carroll, Sharon Slayton, Mike Swain and Victor Conley. Absent were Lindsey Ray and Eddie Paul Stanley.

During the public comments at the beginning of the meeting, Carol Ann Davis, elementary teacher and daughter of the late long time school Superintendent Gaylon, Stewart, addressed the board saying,

"This is really close to my heart. My family and I have a lot of fine memories of the elementary school. My father, Gaylon Stewart, superintendent spent a lot of time preserving and maintaining the elementary school. I have taught there for 36 years and my children went there from Kindergarten through 5th grade and so I think I have a lot to say about this, and I have lots of wonderful memories about the school, the teachers, students, administrators, but it is time to move on. It's time to look to the future, its time to think about our children and their needs. Maintenance is no longer adequate for this building and you know I and many others will probably shed a tear when we leave that old school, but it is time to put down new memories and new roots and think about our children and the future of our school and its memories."

Two other individuals addressed the board. Then Bryant asked for comments from the board on the elementary project. Carroll advised that by renovating a 70 year old building you end up with just a pretty building with much higher utility costs and the exact same layout. The board had not addressed the parking, traffic or the playground issues. According to Carroll, "I am in favor of building a new elementary school and doing this project right." Swain wanted to discuss the project some more, and Conley was adamant that he wanted to renovate the old building.

Superintendent Mark Keahey advised the board that he had provided everything the board had asked for more than a year now including analysis, bids, research, surveys, etc. He stated that GSISD has over 4 million dollars for construction at this time. A new building would gain some efficiencies critically needed. Bryant stated they could build the new elementary elsewhere and leave the old historic building if necessary.

According to Carroll, "I hear everyone's concerns. I am a taxpayer too, but there comes a time when you have to ask what is best for our district and what is the cost of maintaining this 70 year old building and putting more band aids on it? He proposed taking 4 million dollars out of the budget and putting a bond up for the rest of it to build something that would attract people to this community.

Carroll made the motion to call for a bond election not to exceed five (5) million dollars and take the balance out of the general fund to build a new ele-mentary at a total cost of over nine (9) million dollers. Bryant seconded the motion. Motion was approved by 3-2 with Bryant, Carroll, and Slayton for, and Swain and Conley against.

Board also approved moving the regular meeting to march 8 to discuss the elementary project more.

Photos of the elementary school's condition may be seen on the Grand Saline ISD website at www.grand-salineisd.net. Click on the Elementary School Facility Study, then click on the Elementary School

Inspection photos where deterioration and cracks can be seen in the support beams under the building as well as numerous other deteriorated areas.

The taxpayers will now have an opportunity to attract more qualified teachers, and more families to Grand Saline should they decide to vote yes for a long needed new elementary school.

Long time teacher, Carol Ann Davis addressed the GSISD board "This is really close to my heart My family and I have a lot of fine memories of the elementary school. My father, Gaylon Stewart, superintendent spent a lot of time preserving and maintaining the elementary school. I have taught there for 36 years and my children went there from Kindergarten through 5th grade and so I think I have a lot to say about this, and I have lots of wonderful memories about the school, the teachers, students, administrators, but it is time to move on. It's time to look to the future, its time to think about our children and their needs. Maintenance is no longer adequate for this building and you know I and many others will probably shed a tear when we leave that old school, but it is time to put down new memories, new roots and think about our children and the future of our school and its memories."



Copyright 2010 Grand Saline Sun, Grand Saline, Texas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2010 Grand Saline Sun Grand Saline, Texas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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