CLOSER TO COMPLETION
BISD to hold groundbreaking

Bullard Independent School District voters OK'd a bond issue - wide in scope - for the growth and other needs of the district in November, but on April 9, they could see some concrete beginnings to the fruits of the bond.

BISD put a $29.5 million bond to a vote in November - calling first for a new elementary school

The district is holding an official groundbreaking ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the location of the new elementary on Schoolhouse Road.

"We've done a lot of preliminary work," said Superintendent Jim Wright. "Now it's time to begin construction."

When the district began meeting early last year and formed a facilities committee to study the needs of the district, the top priority was a new elementary campus.

The new campus for will house grades second through fourth, with a core for 800 students and academics for 600 students in 80,000 square feet, to accommodate 525 students.

Also included in the package were:

! Maintaining the Bullard Elementary as Bullard Primary School for grades Pre-K - first with maintenance and upgrades made for maintenance and operations budgeted funds and proposed bond funds, to accommodate 415 students.

! Maintaining the intermediate campus for grades five and six, with renovations of cafeteria and modernizing current classrooms and computer labs. Construct 7,630 square feet for science classrooms and labs and a library. Demolish older while building and make a new entry to the campus, to accommodate 350 students.

! Maintaining Bullard Middle School for grades seventh and eighth with maintenance and upgrades made from M&O budgeted funds and proposed bond funds, to accommodate 350 students.

! Maintaining the high school and construct a new fine arts center with two classrooms and drama room, expand the dining area and expand seating on the south side of the gym. Construct a new stadium with all-weather track, all to accommodate 700 students.

Trustees voted just in time, the deadline was Tuesday to submit a bond proposal to be on the November ballot.

"The kids deserve it, our future depends on it," board trustee Michael Roy said, in an earlier interview.