The Bullard ISD Board of Trustees approved last week the least expensive option to expand the high school in anticipation of a booming student population.

The Board approved the plan on Oct. 25 that could add up to ten classrooms to the school using left over bond money. The expansion will be on the north end of campus and was the least expensive option of three given by an architect.

Most of the project will be paid with the $2.7 million left from the $28 million bond package approved by voters in 2006. The project could be more and the ISD might pay for the remainder of the project from the ISD fund balance.

The high school has felt a 23 percent increase in students since last year. The district has had a 30 percent increase. In 2001 there were only 1,403 students and now there are more than 1,900 students.

Bullard Superintendent Keith Bryant said he is expecting about 130 more students at the high school next year.

As of Friday, the eight graders who will be coming into Bullard High School outnumber the outgoing seniors by 52 students. And he is expecting a 10 percent growth at the high school.

"We are expecting 670 at the high school," Bryant said. "I am projecting on the heavy side to make sure we have enough space for students."

Three school districts are attempting to pass bond packages: Tyler, Longview and Hallsville. If these cities pass the bonds, then construction costs could ne more expensive, Bryant said.

"We are trying to beat that," Bryant. "Not sure if we can, but we are trying."

Bryant said the district could go out to bid by January and the new building could be completed by December of 2008.

And if the project is too expensive, then the school district will opt out to only build the first floor of the building to save money.