Laying the Foundation
Construction under way; trustee questions stadium plans
By Lori Mellinger Bullard Banner News

-- Bullard Banner photo by Meredith Mohr Workers from WRL Construction are busy at work on the new Bullard elementary campus. The crew began laying the foundation for classrooms on Friday.

Even as WRL construction was busy laying the foundation for classrooms at the new Bullard Elementary campus on Friday, all the issues surrounding the $29.5 million bond package have yet to be settled.

At July's school board meeting, WRL architect Mike Craig gave an update on progress of the new facilities and fielded questions from board members.

"For the last couple of months, we've been working on Phase II of the project," Craig said.

That phase, according to BISD superintendent Jim Wright, includes building a new library, two classrooms and cosmetic type front entrance work for the intermediate school.

Craig said that despite heavy rains, the company has met the schedule it's shooting for.

"We're working through the additions now," Craig said, referring to the board's decision to increase seating for the sports complex from 500 to 800 seats.

-- Bullard Banner photos by Meredith Mohr Above and below, a WRLcrew is working furiously to get the elementary campus ready for its completion date of August 2008

"All outside work should start immediately," he said.

Wright said the district has redone the middle school track already, and board is scheduled to award a contract in this month for the second phase of construction financed through the bond approved by voters 58 to 42 percent in November 2006.

Trustee Sam Smith, however, at the July meeting, had questions about the stadium that he hopes to have addressed this month.

Smith's issue: the multi-purpose sports complex.

"We have been elected by the constituents of the Bullard ISD to represent them in all manners related to the bond proposal that they approved," Smith told the Bullard News. "It is my contention that every detail of the stadium needs to be discussed and viewed from the prospective of the people that will be using the facility -- the voters.

"We are going to have a great stadium, but it needs to be spectacular. We should have the best stadium that can be built for the money that has been approved. I have presented a list of suggestions to the architect and superintendent and would like to discuss the design and implementation of these ideas before a final sign off is obtained."

Craig indicated that the front of the stadium would be comprised of mostly a chain-link fence - which Smith believes does a disservice to those who will use the stadium - the fans. He also said he knows - from a marketing standpoint - that first impressions are everything.

He hopes the board will discuss these concerns at length.

"You must think about the people who are going to attend the games," he said. "Build the stadium with their needs in mind. Our field will be great, the stadium and all it offers is for the fans.

"The entrance of the facility needs to be impressive and the visual walk up to the stadium needs to present our school district in the best light possible.

"On the plans that we received when we arrived for the meeting tonight, I see a painted metal gate with a chain-link fence. That is not what I would deem to be impressive and I would like to discuss it further. We must have a stadium entrance that from the parking lot or the entrance to the high school looks great."

Smith has ideas that he would like to see the district and WRL work together on.

"My suggestion would be to think brick columns that match the school and ticket booth, they can be connected attached by black wrought iron, " he said. "Chain link is not acceptable in my opinion.

"I also would like an area at the entrance where our Booster Clubs can set up their tables and present their wares at the entrance. I had suggested possibly making this an area to showcase all the great accomplishments our past teams have achieved, sort of a monument area. The current plans call for a statue of a Panther, which is better than nothing, but I would love to see more."

"Concession stands need to have charcoal pits where we can bring our families early and have dinner, but a good, somewhat healthful dinner.

"Our families need to have a decent meal on a Friday night, why not have them come early and enjoy their stadium. The current plans we received do not show this."

Smith would also like to see an area of picnic tables to accommodate everyone coming to enjoy the concessions, etc.

But he without his compliments for the many of the ideas and plans.

"I commend the design team for adding the backs to the seats on the home side center section. Our fans deserve to be comfortable and this will go a long way in achieving this goal, he said."

"The bottom line is a stadium is about the fans. We must do everything we can to make this facility one that all of our voters will be proud to attend," he said. "We also want visitors to want to come to the games, spend their dollars in Bullard, and possibly want to have their playoff games at our facility.

"This stadium is supposed to be multi-use and the more we think ahead now, the better bang for the buck we will give our constituents. I feel that we need to discuss the plans further before giving approval."

The elementary campus was the impetus for the bond and it's where the most money has been allocated.

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

For $29.5 million, the district's plan also includes:

! 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 maintenance and operating budgeted funds and proposed bond funds, to accommodate 350 students.

! maintaining the high school and constructing 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.

Added at the last minute was a new road, constructed to alleviate traffic congestion on Schoolhouse Road. The road - added by BISD trustees is projected at about $1 million, but Wright and others said it's essential to the growth.

To cover the bond, the tax rate would increase one cent per million dollars. But the board last year lowered the tax rate from $1.59 per $100 valuation to $1.47 per $100 valuation.

Trustees meet again at 7 p.m. Aug. 15.

At the last meeting, board member John Alexander asked for a list of things to be put on the agenda, including:

! adding a position of assistant superintendent;

! naming both the new road and elementary school;

! discussion about a pilot program to prepare students for post graduation - such as help in how to answer interview questions, prepare a resume, etc.;

! the board planning a time to have a roundtable discussion.

"I'd like to see us have a vision for the future," Alexander said. "Let's examine what we - as a board and as individuals - are doing for the district, students

and administration."

Board meetings are held at

the administration building and are open to the public.