The Houston school board met last week with two architects as it moves toward a possible bond issue for campus improvements in 2019.
In a special session last Tuesday, board members heard presentations from Sam Winn & Associates as well as Paragon. Both work regularly with school districts and responded to Houston’s request for qualifications.
Dr. Allen Moss, superintendent, said the board will likely chose one of the organizations on Tuesday.
Moss said possible improvements could include a new gymnasium, track, connecting Hiett Gymnasium with the middle/high school building for improved security as well as replacing heating and cooling units.
Moss said the district’s current bonding capacity is $5 million. He said a project could go before voters in April.
“The board would like to get some ideas from the architects,” Moss said, “and then host some public meetings and get input.”
The district passed a no-tax, $4 million bond issue in 2013 that included doubling the cafeteria, connecting the middle and high school buildings with an unified entrance, new library, roof replacements on four buildings, air conditioning in Hiett Gymnasium and an elevator. Sapp Design Associates Architects P.C. was the architect of the project that received 72 percent approval from voters.
APPROVAL GIVEN FOR NEW RESTROOMS AT FOOTBALL STADIUM
After months of presentations from citizen Christie Koch, the school board gave its unanimous approval to build new restrooms at Tiger Stadium that will be available at both home football and baseball games.
Labor and oversight of the new building will be donated. Moss said the district is prepared to pay about $27,000 in materials –– although he expects that number to decrease as more donations are made.
“It’s a need and has a lot of support,” Moss said. “If you paid for everything and bid it out, it would be a much greater cost.”
Moss said the building will straddle the fence on the west side of the football press box with doors on two sides for access by football or baseball fans depending on the season. The women’s restrooms will have six stalls while the men’s side will include three stalls and three urinals. Changing tables will be located in both.
Moss said the current football restrooms will likely be part of an expansion to increase the size of the concession stand.
Also during the meeting, school board members:
• Accepted a contract for $46,000 from Paragon for the new boiler project.
• Heard information from Moss related to a possible roof project on the west side of the high school. He also said there is leaking in the middle school through the masonry.
• Approved advertising for bids to demolish a white house at Chestnut and Bryan streets. Moss said the space will be used leveled and gravel spread to extend the parking lot at the elementary school.
• Employed Dawn Sprouse (high school science), Heather Copley (elementary teacher), Sara Anderson (elementary teacher), Pat Oakley (junior class co-sponsor) and Jodi Arthur (middle school assistant volleyball coach) for the 2018-’19 school year. Anderson’s employment is pending certification.
• Accepted resignations form Shane Wright (high school teacher, high school track coach and assistant high school football coach) and Crystal Sutphin (color guard sponsor).