The following is the first in a series of questions being presented about the upcoming DeLeon ISD bond issue that will be on the May 12 ballot. The response for the questions will be provided by Dr. Randy Mohundro, Superintendent of Schools for DISD.

Question – “Isn't the high school structurally sound, and if so, why do we need to tear down a good building just to build a new one? Isn't this just an effort to keep up with the other towns in the area?”

The whole conversation about school facilities began with the thought of doing some renovations to the existing high school facility to improve it as a positive learning environment for students. This original high school building dates back to the early 1950’s, and has been in continual usage for over fifty years. While additions and renovations have been done in the past, the district now faces new requirements regarding building codes for educational facilities from both the national level and the state level.

Consideration was given to begin making some cosmetic improvements to the building, but rather than using resources in an unwise manner, the Board directed the administration to investigate the status of the building and how much life was actually left in the building. That was done with an internal study of the building using educational facility standards that are set by the Texas Education Agency.

What was discovered in doing the study was that none of the existing high school structure is compliant with the requirements that have been set by the state for high schools in Texas. Many of the current classrooms are big enough for only fifteen students, but, hold as many as twenty students during certain class periods.

While some people might ask, “Why we don’t just renovate the existing structure?” a problem arises in trying to accomplish that goal. The requirement of the various codes that a school district must follow when a building is renovated must be met when renovations exceed 50%. This means that if the current building was simply renovated, the campus would lose five classrooms, going from eleven to six classrooms.

Additionally, when you have to meet the new building code standards for handicapped accessibility and all the new environmental and energy requirements, the cost to renovate becomes more expensive than new construction.

The Board also had a comprehensive master plan and facility assessment done by an architectural and engineering firm. One of the conclusions that was made in the study is that, in addition to the building not being compliant in regards to handicapped accessibility and size requirements, the building is also a safety hazard in that it is absent of recommended critical minimum life safety measures. These consist of audible and visual fire alarm systems, one-hour fire rated corridors, and twenty minute fire-rated corridor doors equipped with closers.

In walking through the building, you begin to notice that the building can no longer handle the electrical load requirements that now exist with all of the new technology that is now required for students. Many of the classrooms in the original wing use electrical breaker switches to turn-off and on the lights and outlets in the rooms. Structurally, there are issues with the facility in regards to its age and the deterioration that has occurred over the past fifty years.

Commercial construction tells us that the normal life span for a commercial building with normal usage is approximately forty to fifty years. School buildings get even more usage than a regular commercial building, with large numbers utilizing the building on a regular basis. Given that the current high school is over fifty years in age, it has been an effective building that has been well utilized. The district must now look forward to the next fifty years to determine how to best serve its students of today and more importantly, the students of tomorrow.

I am very aware that other districts in our area are also building new school facilities. The issue is not about keeping up with the “Jones’”, but rather what is in the best interest of our community. When people are looking to relocate to a community they look for certain things in making that determination. One of the big things is the local school system. Parents and students want quality educational facilities and often pick a community based on how the schools look.

Today we, as a community, are in competition for new residents. Those people looking to move to our area will look at DeLeon - but they will also look at Comanche, Dublin, and Gorman. They will look at test scores, programs, activities, and the facilities that are available to serve their needs.

For the well-being of DeLeon, investment in the infrastructure of our community is the key to keeping our community alive and strong for years to come.

This bond is about making DeLeon stronger and providing a great place to live and raise families for years come - just as it has been in years past.

Editor’s note: We have submitted a series of questions to Dr. Mohundro concerning the bond election. If you have questions you would like to be posed, or have responsible comments, pro or con, we would invite you to send them to us.