It was almost like having a party and no one shows up.

Bullard Independent School District Trustees hosted a special public forum to determine the outcome of the old school building, affectionately known as the “Alamo” on school property between Bullard Intermediate School and Bullard Middle School.

Apparently, citizens had privately expressed opinions regarding use of the old building, but there were no public opinions expressed at the special-called meeting Thursday, July 8.

The future use of the old structure, long abandoned and used as storage for years, has been a discussion item for a couple of months for trustees. The building could be razed, renovated or left as it is. Renovation costs are estimated between $50,000 and $500,000, depending on the proposed use.

Trustees have considered removing the building to potentially ease the traffic flow problem before and after school in the area.

“Traffic safety and the safety of our students is our number one priority,” Alexander said. “The time has come to review the future of that building.”

BISD contracted BWR Engineers to assess the potential use and traffic flow problem regarding the old structure, but the group’s final analysis is not expected to be available to the board until November.

Trustees also approved $1.47 per $100 of valuation as the district’s total proposed tax rate for publication, which is the same as the current tax rate. The proposed tax rate is scheduled to be adopted on Aug. 2. Afterwards, trustees will decide whether to call a tax rollback election.

According to BISD Superintendent Keith Bryant, the district will consider moving 13 cents to the maintenance and operations tax rate from the interest and sinking tax rate to maximize funding from the state.

Despite the fact that the tax rate would not change, a rollback election would be required to shift the tax rate even 1 cent to M&O.

The district’s total tax rate is $1.47 per $100 of valuation, with $1.04 for M&O and 43 cents for I&S. The proposed rate would change the M&O rate to $1.17 and the I&S rate would be 30 cents.

The purpose of the proposed change is to get additional funding from the state, funds that would be used to update the schools technical, “one-on-one” initiative; a program designed so that each BISD middle and high school student would have a laptop computer.

In other action, trustees hired eight professional employees, including Christina Casey (primary school); Terra Lee and Andrea Shustella (intermediate); and Alaina Cannon, Jacqueline Hardin, Pamela Spell and Corey Hickerson (high school). The board accepted the resignations of Jacob Powell and Meri Mullicane.