MANSFIELD — After years of rapid growth and expansion, Mansfield ISD says voters now have a chance to rebuild some older schools and provide an equal learning opportunity for students.
Tuesday's vote will decide the fate of a $198 million bond package focused on rebuilding five elementary schools, renovating or adding to all existing campuses, and upgrading safety features and technology.
At Boren Elementary, it means $17 million for a new school.
Academically, students at Boren Elementary can run with anyone. When it comes to learning space and technology, the gym teacher's office shows the school doesn't measure up.
Principal John Williams points to a small desk, barely big enough to hold a laptop computer. "Many of our teachers because of space have chosen to do away with the traditional teachers desk and just work from a table, and don't even bother with the desk," Williams says.
The district calls the bond package an equity proposal for parents and children who are out-classed by newer schools just down the road. Boren Elementary's electrical system is already overloaded and cannot handle new technology or wireless capabilities.
"At some point in time, our children begin to become at a disadvantage because they don't have the same technology," says Boren PTA President Angie Thor. "There's a lot of things that we don't have that other schools have."
The economy is the biggest threat to a 4 cent property tax increase. Supporters worry the price tag could scare away voters. The bond committee stresses getting rid of temporary buildings, and replacing rusty burners in the cafeterias could be more cost effective than serving up a series of renovations.
"You can rebuild and actually save money," says Diana Decker. "To me, it was a foreign concept. But you can do that by rebuilding and making things more energy efficient."
Mansfield ISD's bond Web site shows the breakdown of costs for all five schools targeted for replacement.
|
Campus
|
Renovation Cost
|
Replacement Cost
|
Difference
|
|
Anderson
|
$13,458,100
|
$14,175,000
|
94.9%
|
|
Boren
|
$13,787,995
|
$13,507,200
|
100+%
|
|
Harmon
|
$15,758,994
|
$14,175,000
|
100+%
|
|
Ponder
|
$10,103,275
|
$13,507,200
|
74.8%
|
|
Tarver-Rendon
|
$10,590,595
|
$13,507,200
|
78.4%
|
Mansfield's last four bond issues have paid for rapid expansion. Educators say it's time to let the old schools catch up.
"It's just a comparison of apples to apples, and we have apples and prunes right now," Williams said.
A complete list of projects and improvements is available at mansfieldisdbond.com.
E-mail cnorton@wfaa.com
