BURTON ISD BOND PROJECT COULD SEE DESIGN CHANGES
Some building plans could be changing for the Burton ISD bond project.
During Monday’s Burton School Board meeting, Reliance Architecture President Antonio Naylor told trustees that in order to save money as construction costs rise, he is proposing the new band hall become part of the planned additions at the high school. Previously, the design called for the elementary school gym to be converted into a band hall.
Naylor said choosing to build a new band hall instead of renovating the gym would save Burton ISD $200,000 and result in a better facility, as it would be built from the ground up for that particular purpose. He said the district could continue using the elementary gym as is, but there are other options.
Naylor also discussed changes to plans for construction in the future, if there comes a time where more classrooms need to be added. Initially, plans were that the foundation and structural steel could support a second story, but Naylor said it is safer and more cost-effective to build on a single story.
Naylor said there is room to add four to six new classrooms if the district chose to build a wing out into where the portable buildings are located. If it wanted to go further, he said it could build into the parking lot area and add 18-20 classrooms.
Some residents at the meeting said they felt the modifications are a large departure from the plans they voted for last fall, and were unhappy that they did not have a say in the matter.
Trustee Dean Fuchs said the adjustments make sense financially, but added that this is a “pretty major change” and there needs to be better communication from all parties. Board President Jeff Harmel said plans are underway to put together a form of interactive forum, possibly via email and phone call, where citizens can provide feedback and get their questions answered.
Naylor said his firm is getting ready to move into construction documents, and plans to have them completed by the first part of September.
Avoid all this redrawing of the plans.
The district will be better off by purchasing 20 acres and constructing a brand new campus from the ground up.
Sell off the old campus and land to a developer who will build the homes for the growing population.