Six or eight lanes? The Houston Board of Education provided the answer Tuesday night.
The district is proposing an 8-lane track on the April ballot as part of Proposition K.I.D.S. to address its dilapidated track and make other improvements around the campus. The acronym stands for “Keep Improving District Schools.”
Board members in November finalized bond language for the $2.95 million no levy increase bond issue with a minimum 6-lane track. The board gave Dr. Justin Copley, superintendent, its support to negotiate with project manager GeoSurfaces to pursue 8 lanes if it fit into the bond budget.
Copley successfully presented an 8-lane track to the board Tuesday night at a cost of $1,993,000. It was approved with a 6-1 vote. Marty Merckling dissented.
Watch the video replay of the meeting
The official bond language asks voters to consider a bond to “renovate, construct, equip and furnish a new track and natural field at its current location” and include additional accessibility measures. Bond funds will also be used to renovate the middle school gymnasium and exterior of the Fine Arts Building as well as pay off the Piney River Technical Center lease financing. The election is April 7.
The district’s previous bond issue for a new track and turf football field in 2024 had majority support (54.84%) but fell shy of the 57.14% required to pass. The 2026 measure does not include a turf field.
In conjunction with the bond, the district will again apply for the Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant to assist with accessibility around the track. 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 total cost will be $86,000 and only be used if the bond receives voter approval.
