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Poth ISD trustees consider $10 million bond projects






 

 

Poth Independent School District board trustees are holding an election Nov. 7 for the issuance of $10 million worth of bonds, for the addition and renovation of campus structures.

Following research into the school’s needs by the administration, each board member appointed two to three community members — including parents, business owners, and teachers — to a 20-person Facilities Planning Committee to study the findings and recommend upgrades, renovations, and new facilities.

“Education took the lead during the meetings,” said committee member and parent Robert Biela.

A list of improvements from the committee was whittled down to the following items by the board of trustees:

•Renovating the existing ag building for the band and music programs

•Renovating an area in the cafeteria for the culinary arts program

•Replacing the track at Jack Lane Field, with possible renovations to the bleachers, concession stand, restrooms, and playing field

•Construction of a new 15,000-square-foot career and technology education (CTE) facility.

“We’ve had to limit the number of students,” said Superintendent Paula Renken about the school’s growing CTE program.

Lending rates are currently favorable, said Business Manager Jennifer Johnson. The $10 million bond issuance — which would be paid out over 20 years — is less than the school’s bonding capacity of $18 million.

“The board has been pretty conservative,” Biela said.

If the bond passes, the district’s tax rate is projected to be $1.39 per $100 of assessed property value in 2018, up from the current rate of $1.1238 per $100.

Another committee worked on a similar list of improvements five years ago, according to Renken. The project was abandoned, due to fluctuating property values.

Voters approved a 20- year $3.9 million bond in 2013 to finance the construction of a new science building, parking lot, and practice field. They approved a 20-year $2.3 million maintenance tax note to fund several repairs to existing structures last June.

During its Oct. 11 meeting, the board heard a presentation by AGCM’s Central Texas Vice President Ryan Rosborough on various procurement methods for the district’s construction projects, should the bond pass.

“I would like to be ready to take action,” Renken said.

For more on the Oct. 11 meeting, see page 10A.

Bond election

Early voting will take place weekdays Oct. 23 – Nov. 3, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Poth ISD Administration Building at 510 Titcomb.

Ballots by mail must be received by Friday, Oct. 27.

Election day – Tuesday, Nov. 7, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

•Precincts 205, 208, 209 – Poth City Hall, 200 N. Carroll St.

•Precinct 206 – American Legion Hall, 1412 Fourth St., Floresville

•Precinct 414 – Stockdale Community Building, 700 W. Main St.

jvalcher@wcn-online.com