Bond group to hold final meet Nov. 2
By Lori Thomason

"FOR the Future of BISD members have their eyes on two more dates: Nov. 2 and Nov. 7.

After the latter, hopefully, they will rest. But group member and BISD trustee Dr. John Alexander said the committee is getting ready for its final public meeting.

"We're really hoping anyone with questions that have yet to be answered will come," Alexander said.

Although from the way Alexander laid out the group's activities, one might wonder if there's anyone they've yet to reach.

The group has put up signs, knocked on doors, talked to people on the street and at the grocery store, put up more signs after the ones they put up were taken down, and held a slew of community meetings to inform the public on the $28.5 million bond package.

The final step is a town hall meeting at 6 p.m. Nov. 2 at Bullard Southern Baptist Church to present facts and answer any remaining questions, Alexander said.

After all the other meetings, members are excited.

"It's good to see such positive feedback on such an important issue," Alexander said.

The group held its last meeting Saturday at Lakewood Community Center - where, members said - those in attendance came with questions and left with answers.

But some needed no convincing, co-chair Sam Smith said, "One guy said his father always told him to buy land in a good school district.

"Obviously it's worked out well for him," Smith said. "The man - though he has no children in Bullard schools - knows the correlation between good schools and good investments."

Alexander said he's talked to retirees - who by many of their own admission - vote 'no' on everything - back the bond for the same reasons, keeping their homes a growing and sound investment.

"There have been many who were borderline on the issue who are now supporters," Alexander said.

In the meantime, Alexander said through the whole process, he's been fortunate to work with a great group.

"This is the best, hardestworking group I've worked with on any issue," he said. "You would think there were hundreds of us, as much work that's been done."

In reality, he said, it's been mostly a core group of workers - with hundreds supporting their efforts.

"They are focused, determined and hard-working," Alexander said. "And it's been a privilege to be on their team."

The issue the group is trying its best to address is the idea that the bond proposal -- $28.5 million - is not for a football stadium. The stadium represents about 12 percent of the total bond package; the

88 percent voters should recognize and pay most attention to is going, Alexander said, to educational needs.

Eighty-eight percent of the bond money would be used for:

* an 80,000-square-foot brand new elementary school (2nd - 4th grade) that will be constructed on a new road between FM 2493 and the new campus, therefore alleviating traffic problems Cost: $15.1 million. * renovations to Bullard

Intermediate School (5th-6th grade): a new library; two science classrooms; new entryway. Cost: $2.7 million.

* renovations to the existing elementary school (pre-K - 1st grade) and middle school (7th -8th grade). Cost: $500,000.

* additions to Bullard High School: a fine arts center, drama classroom, two general classrooms, cafeteria and gym seating expansions. Cost: $5.6 million.