City Secretary Edna Lopez has been awarded the prestigious Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) designation from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks. To earn the CMC designation, a Municipal Clerk must attend extensive education programs and have pertinent experience in a municipality. Pictured is Mayor Sam Fugate presenting Lopez with a plaque detailing her honor at a City Council meeting held Monday. (Photo by Erika Hernandez) The proposal to issue a $40 million bond for the construction of a new high school is being presented to the public before the May 8 election. Emilio Castro, Kingsville Independent School District superintendent, and Karen Griffith, KISD Chief Administrative officer, has conducted over 20 town talk presentations informing KISD faculty, civic organizations and other groups that the $40 million bond would be used for construction of a new high school if the bond is voter approved. Castro and Griffith stated KISD has an opportunity to obtain state funding of 43 percent of the $40 million that would leave 57 percent of the cost to taxpayers.

KISD school board members unanimously authorized KISD administrators to proceed with a bond election of $40 million at a special meeting held Feb. 5.

Castro cited this was an opportune time for the construction of the facility because interest and construction costs were low. Another plus factor would be the fact that KISD has a good chance of receiving state funds from the Texas Education Agency through the Instructional Facilities Allotment or an Existing Debt Allotment to pay about 43 percent of the principal and interest payments on the bond.

IFA funding will decrease in future years, according to Castro.

“Not a lot of school districts are going out for bond elections and the competition is less for IFA funds right now,” Castro said Monday.

Griffith said the bond issue would be subject to obtaining state assistance through the IFA and EDA. KISD would apply for IFA resources in June and be notified by August if the district received the funding if the bond passes.

“So far the responses have been positive because people agree there is a need for a new high school,” Griffith said Monday. “Building a new high school will give our students and parents something to be proud of.”

“A facilities study was conducted in 2007 revealing that the high school was build in 1963 and was functionally obsolete,” Castro stated.

KISD commissioned the Texas Association of School Administrators to conduct an educational facilities study in 2007. There had been other facilities study in previous years.

The report revealed many deficiencies at the facility.

The study stated H.M. King High School was nearly 50 years old and did not support the educational standards of today’s technological world.

The study also noted that 95 percent of the classrooms are 67 percent smaller than minimum standards. Areas such as clinic and counseling centers are too small and considered inadequate. Handicap accessibility is not in compliance with the current law.

The facilities report also cited safety issues. Congestion in inadequate hallways, and entrances and exits restrict general access and emergency evacuation.

The air quality is deficient because the outdated ventilation can cause smoke ingestion during a fire, and offensive odors in the building cannot be controlled.

Another safety issue was the structural integrity of the building.

The report presented evidence of foundation movement, shifting, and cracking, and rainwater seeping into walls.

The interior condition of the building has finishes and fixtures in need of repair and or placement; this includes lighting, floors, ceilings, wall finishes, windows, doors and hardware.

The auditorium needs major renovation.

Written information available to the public also stated that the “KISD board analyzed the study and asked for a recommendation from the District’s Architect, La Marr Womack, & Associates. The cost for renovation and repair was compared to the cost of new construction, as well as, long term operating and maintenance costs. Replacement of the building was the most cost effective solution to the issues listed in the 2007 TASA report and the board voted unanimously to approve the proposed bond to replace the High School.”

A previous bond election secured $25 million for KISD.

During their presentation, the KISD administrators also reported on the current expenditures of these funds.

A new primary school is under construction on the Harvey Elementary School site at a projected cost of $9.5 million, and the architects have said the building will be finished for students to enroll this coming school year. Two wings have been added at Kleberg and Harrel elementary schools to complete the neighborhood school concept. Play areas have been covered.

Renovations are also being made at Memorial Middle School, and the new Gillett Intermediate School was constructed with bond money in addition to IFA funding.

The KISD administrators also pointed out that the district continues to be energy efficient.

KISD has a preventative maintenance program, improved custodial support, curb appeal implementation and maintenance and recycles effectively.

Griffith explained the tax impact on the residents if the bond passes. Taxes are frozen by law on a homestead property if the taxpayers are 65 years old. Taxes will increase about 17 cents per $100 of assessed tax value.

The estimated tax increase for a $50,000 home with a $15,000 homestead exemption will be about $59.50 a year or $4.96 per month. The estimated tax increase for a $100,000 home with a $15,000 exemption will be about $144.50 per year or $12.04 per month, according to Griffith.

Castro stated if the bond election passes in May they will be working immediately with the architects for schematic designs. Deadlines will also be established.

“We will be asking for input from KISD staff, community members, and students,” Castro said.

Castro and Griffith will continue with the town talk presentations and will also be speaking to high school students soon.