BRENHAM SCHOOL BOARD HEARS ASSESSMENT OF JR. HIGH SCHOOL
The Brenham School Board will soon have to decide whether to repair or replace the current Jr. High School campus. Grady Slaydon with Texas Association of School Boards Facility Services presented the board with an overview of the facility during their noon Monday meeting. The main building was originally the High School when it was completed in 1963. Several other buildings have been constructed around it for district use over the years including the band hall, the English and Science buildings, the rubber gym, and the tax office. Slaydon said the assessment showed that $44 million in repairs are needed to the campus and to replace it all would cost $69 million. Most of the issues are with the main building including foundation problems, the elevator and other facilities not meeting ADA requirements and the roof and HVAC systems needing to be replaced due to their age. Slaydon told the board the most districts look at replacing a facility when the repair costs exceed 50 percent of the replacement cost. The trustees now have to come up with a plan that considers current construction costs, the economy, and building options.
The board also heard a report about blended learning and the Raise Your Hand Texas grant application that the district has entered. Blended Learning is a process where a student learns at a pace they determine from both teacher and online material. The district is one of the 30 finalists for the $300,000 grant to be awarded by Raise Your Hand Texas. Districts of all different sizes are competing for the grant that will be awarded to up to 20 of them.
The trustees also approved an anti-vaping resolution. E-cigs, vapes, and regular cigarettes are strictly prohibited on all BISD campuses. The district considers them to be a distraction to learning and a health hazard to students. A copy of the anti-vaping resolution can be viewed here: Vaping Resolution
The school district just upgraded lighting to LED on many of the campuses. Was this done to the junior high when there were so many other issues? The elevator situation should have been properly addressed years ago . Each school site should have had a master plan review before all the free standing buildings were constructed.
First, how can you suddenly have a school in such bad shape that it will take $44 million to repair it? Those repairs need to made a little at a time when you can afford it. Sounds like somebody just wants a new school again. For us retired people that are on a fixed income, we cannot handle these tax increases you find a way to hit us with each year.
The Junior High is a campus that has many Band-Aids on it. They made small upgrades, but nothing to address root issues. If you’ve been by there lately, you’ll notice the security fence around the building that makes it look like a prison. Not a good look, but I understand the security concerns. A new building is coming soon and it will be a burden on the taxpayers. I just hope they are economical and not out to have the biggest, shiniest school in the state at any cost. Wondering what they will do with the bomb shelter that is located there as well.
What was the cost for the new fence? If security was the reason for the fence, when will the gates be at least closed?
I have elementary aged children that will attend this school in a few years and I agree with you. I think the repairs are inflated and the bid for a new school is under estimated (like they always are). Plus construction now a days will be sub par and never last like the construction from 1963. It will be a huge waste of money, resources and environmental waste to demolish this building and build another. Or is the school board planning on buying land and building somewhere else? If so how much will that land cost in addition to the build? I think the money would be better spend focusing on the education of the students and getting the teachers the supplies they need to be successful.