The Houston R-1 School District is again moving forward with an effort to address its dilapidated track. This time with other campus improvements as well.
The Board of Education approved Tuesday night placing a no levy increase bond issue on the April 2026 ballot for a new track, light renovations to the middle school gymnasium and fine arts building as well as paying off the lease/purchase of the Piney River Technical Center.
“We are super excited that our board is moving forward and making this attempt,” said Dr. Justin Copley, superintendent.
It will be the district’s third multi-million dollar effort for a new track.
In the spring of 2024, the district sought a $3 million bond issue for a track and artificial turf football field that received majority support (54.84 percent) but failed to reach the 57.14 percent threshold to pass. Last year, a $1.5 million state appropriation solely for the track received approval from the Missouri General Assembly but was vetoed in late June by Gov. Mike Kehoe.
This effort – estimated at $2.9 million of the district’s $3.5 million bonding capacity – will feature a natural grass football field as well as other projects on campus that were not part of the failed 2024 bond issue. It was approved with a 6-1 vote. Marty Merckling dissented.
“The track takes a lot of our time. We had two presentations on it today,” board member Jeff Gettys said as part of a 2 ½ hour meeting. “But there are a lot of other things that go into this bond issue besides the track that are potentially going to be taken care of.”
The district will again partner with GeoSurfaces as project manager. The group, an artificial turf installation and sports surfacing company out of Louisiana, made a presentation during the meeting along with Mammoth Sports Construction LLC. GeoSurfaces led the effort for the last bond issue.
A LOOK AT THE PROJECT SCOPE
Copley provided the board a tabulation sheet breaking down a possible project scope. He estimated about $1.95 million for the track surface, upgrades to lighting, fencing and soil stabilization on the east side of the property. The remaining $1 million would be used for the three remaining projects on campus.
Copley said the district intentionally is not leveraging its full bonding capacity.
“Our board has been mindful that we’re working within a price tag we can do the project for and not overextend ourselves. That allows the bonding capacity to come due quicker for the next project in the future.”
Copley received the board’s blessing to negotiate the details of the project with GeoSurfaces. He said he hopes to have ballot language ready to present at the November or December board meeting. At a minimum, it will include renovating, constructing, equipping and furnishing a new track at its current location.
The board’s general consensus is a six-lane rubber track. Copley said he hopes to find room within the approved price tag to expand to eight lanes.
“I’ve requested that the board give me time to be concentrated in my attempt to negotiate the scope, fees and terms with GeoSurfaces. Over the next month, I’m going to work hard to do that,” Copley said. “Our dream would be that it will be an eight-lane rubber track. My goal is to work very closely with this company to see what we can do and provide that information to the board so that we can solidify our ballot language.”
DISTRICT TO PURSUE GRANT ASSISTANCE
Also planned as part of the improvements is again applying for the Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant. The district hopes to leverage the 50/50 matching grant program for concrete work on the south end of the track as well as the gravel area between the bleachers and concession stand. The application is due Nov. 14 with sight inspections in March 2026 and money awarded between May and September of 2027. The board unanimously approved applying for the grant with the stipulation monies will be used if the bond receives voter approval.
The district received the grant in 2021 for a six lane track and declined due to a desire to pursue eight lanes. Applications were later unsuccessfully submitted in 2022, 23 and 24.
“We’re pivoting,” Copley said. “Previous grant submissions were for the track. This time, we are looking to enhance the track.
“It’s important that our community knows accessibility is a big deal – not just wheelchairs but also the elderly. Standing up there Friday nights and watching someone walk from point A to point B is hard to watch.”
Copley emphasized the final details for the project are still being determined. The board of education will sign off on the final version in the next month or two.
“There are things we need to iron out to make sure we are communicating a clear and concise message to our patrons,” he said. “There are a lot of things pending. The top one was ‘are we going to bond in 2026?’ The answer is ‘yes.’”