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Greenwood ISD in Uncharted Territory, Seeking $51 Million Bond to Address Crowded Classrooms
Greenwood ISD in Uncharted Territory, Seeking $51 Million Bond to Address Crowded Classrooms 2/14/13
Tatum Guinn
CBS 7 News Reporter
February 14, 2013
tguinn@cbs7.com
Greenwood - A west Texas school district is in uncharted territory. Its student population is booming and it's showing no signs of slowing down.
Now Greenwood ISD is faced with a major decision, move forward with a proposed $51-million education bond or not?
School board officials are looking to call for a $51 million dollar bond.
A majority of the funds would go to build a new elementary and middle school campus... It would provide extra space school officials say they desperately need.
The hallways inside the Greenwood Elementary school are covered in student's artwork, proof of a busy year.
It's been the busiest year of all for the school district, with all campuses jammed packed full of students.
"Our capacity at the elementary campus is 950 and we're currently sitting at 1100 students," Doug Young, Greenwood ISD Superintendent said. "We've seen tremendous growth."
That’s why Superintendent Young says something needs to change.
"We had to address not only our elementary problem, but we also need to plan ahead," he said.
If passed, the bond would fund for a new elementary and middle school campus that would be across the street from their current campus.
"This would allow for our current facility to get breathing room, but also be used as enrollment continues to grow," Young said. "We want to make sure we provide a safe learning environment for our kids and be as secure as possible."
It's a plan they've discussed for years and now a decision will be made in just weeks.
School board members will make a decision for the bond proposal to be on the May ballot at their next meeting scheduled for February 25th.