Mineola ISD to put forward $41 million bond for new high school on May 6 election

Published 5:11 pm Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Mineola ISD Communications

MINEOLA — The Mineola ISD board of trustees voted unanimously to call for a May 6 bond election valued at $41 million to build a new high school and expand art and technology facilities.

The bond package provides for a new high school, including a performing arts center and Career and Technical Education (CTE) classrooms as part of a long-range facility plan developed by local parents, staff, business and community members over the course of the past year, according to a news release from the district.

Mineola High School was built in 1967 and currently has seven additional buildings with multiple classrooms that require students to travel outside along sidewalks and open areas. The district said the structure is still in good shape, but the buildings do not meet the needs of a comprehensive high school with expanding programs. The bond will upgrade safety and efficiency while keeping a conservative approach to the cost through renovations and utilizing as much of the existing facility as possible.

“With two campuses built 50 years ago and the newest campuses being 30 years old, the board wanted to implement a plan to address the needs of the district in the most conservative way while planning for the future of Mineola ISD,” Superintendent Kim Tunnell said. “There were over 115 community and staff members who worked on committees and a lot of input was gathered from parents and business owners leading up to this bond package.”

Tunnell said that more than 19 percent of the district’s budget over the past four years has been spent on maintenance and repair of campuses. She also said the district has not had any debt for the past 14 years.

The bond proposal carries an estimated monthly cost of $35.19 for the average home valued at $109,549. The last bond election was held in 1986 for the construction of the middle and primary school campuses.

For more information, visit mineolaisd.net.

PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION

New high school core facilities — $27 million

Enclosed two story building with secure access

Academic learning space and classrooms

Media center, cafeteria and band hall

Competition gymnasium and locker rooms

Principal and support offices

Designed for future expansion

Career and Technology Education — $5 million

Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

Auto technology

Health science

Welding/Construction

Designed for future expansion

Performing Arts Center — $8.3 million

800 seat capacity

Designed for expansion to 1,600 seats

Road Construction — $700,000

Will move traffic off of Loop 564

New entrance to high school and parking for PAC and CTE

Designed to connect to Patten Street upon expansion

Phase II will include renovation of the existing high school for middle school students.

Phase III will include renovation of primary and middle school campus to move all PK-5 students to one campus.