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Whether or not the DeLeon Independent
School District needs to build new or renovate existing school
buildings is one of the questions that a newly formed committee is
charged with investigating and reporting to the Board of Trustees.
DISD Superintendent Dr. Randy Mohundro
convened a group of around 20 area citizens at the DeLeon High School
library Thursday evening to begin the process of advising the DISD
Board regarding the state of the District’s school facilities.
Some of the items to be dealt with by the
committee include:
• examining state standards for school
facilities,
• gaining an understanding of how school
facilities are financed,
• reviewing the DISD’s current facilities
and visiting some facilities of other area schools,
• identifying needs that exist and
exploring options to meet those needs,
• identifying the costs for the various
options and potential revenue sources to meet those needs and
• developing a report to the District
Board.
Dr. Mohundro reviewed some of the current
school facilities standards that are required of new construction or
when extensive renovation is made. He also discussed two separate
state programs for financing new facilities construction costs.
Under the program described as the most
favorable, the State would pay for 58% of the total cost of new school
facilities.
Dr. Mohundro also noted that any property
tax increase for new school facilities would likely be more than
offset by the one-third reduction in school taxes recently approved by
the State Legislature.
Mohundro also emphasized how important
good school facilities are to a community. He noted that new residents
moving into the area are often swayed in their choice of one community
over another by school facilities.
Various school facilities options were
briefly discussed, ranging from an entire replacement of all three
schools at a new site to renovations of existing structures.
In response to a committee member
question, Dr. Mohundro stated that the District was under no mandate
to replace its school facilities, nor did he anticipate any such
requirements in the foreseeable future.
The committee members were nominated by
school board members and have volunteered to serve. Not all who have
been invited to participate attended the initial meeting.
Those present at the meeting included
Richard Mohon, Trent Thomas, Toney Prather, Sam Sparger, Joe Burnett,
Ricky Gooden, Danny Owen, Eric Royall, Craig and Kelly Smith, Kevin
Caraway and Brad Sanders.
DISD employees present included Mark
Lewis, Pat Koonce, Leisa Nowlin and Tami Henson.
Dr. Mohundro emphasized that the
facilities committee is not a closed group. The facilities committee
meetings will be public.
Area citizens who wish to participate in
the evaluation and investigation process are invited to contact Tami
Henson at 893-5095 to volunteer their services.
Mohundro’s computer slide presentation is
available for the public to view at
www.deleon.esc14.net/school_facilities.htm.
The next committee meeting is set for
6:00 p.m. August 3 at the High School library. A walking tour of all
of the District’s facilities is planned for that evening. |
