A cross section of Pilot Point ISD community members came together on Dec. 13 to put numbers to needs as part of the Long Range Planning Committee.
The purpose of the committee is to identify the items that will be part of the next PPISD bond package that will go before the voters.
“Once you’ve made decisions, once the board approves, it then has got to go to the public,” PPISD board President Renee Polk said. “Then it’s going to be all of our jobs to help present this in a way that’s pleasing to our community.”
At the end of the night, the committee members present filled out a mock voting sheet about what projects they would prioritize.
The projects included: a new elementary school that would open fall 2027 at $73,367,441; the first phase of a new replacement high school at $199,946,109; the second phase of a new replacement high school at $85,659,343; a new stadium at the new high school site for $64,186,184; additions to the current high school, which would be converted to a middle school at $45,786,342; additions to Pilot Point Elementary School at $12,865,306; additions to the Pilot Point Early Childhood Center for $6,119,142; and a third elementary school opening fall of 2031 at $106,082,747.
The district’s current bond capacity could sit at $140,000 on the conservative side or $253,000,000, assuming a 20% growth rate, based on the figures presented at the Dec. 12 meeting.
“We’ve seen in the 17, 18, 19% range over the last several years, so maybe 20% is not such a stretch in terms of growth,” said John Martin of Hilltop Securities.
Martin helped paint the financial picture of a potential bond, providing information about the impact of the previous bond on the tax rate, which matched the promise of the district, and giving the comparison of PPISD’s tax rate versus neighboring districts.
Martin reminded the committee that “you are not becoming indebted until you actually sell that debt,” with those sales being staggered based on bonding capacity at the time of the sale for only the phase of the bond the district will work on next.
Several members expressed concern that the level of need exceeds the amount available for the bond.
Building a new elementary school and a new high school were two priorities from multiple tables, but the combined price tag of $273,313,550 was a grave concern.
“I don’t think our options presented are going to cut it, so I think the architects are going to have to go back to the drawing board,” committee member Cynthia Cory said.
When asked by committee members what she would prioritize, Superintendent Dr. Shannon Fuller refrained from championing specific needs.
“My goal is to genuinely make sure that the hopes and dreams of the community come to fruition,” she said. “… As we look to the future, we need to make sure that we are listening to the community, listening to the committee who’s talking to their neighbors and their friends, … and really thinking about what’s best for our kids, for our community. We have a lot of growth coming, and we have a lot of options. It’s not super cut and dry.”
The possible impact of a school voucher program was also a source of concern, but Fuller said it will likely have a limited impact on PPISD if approved.
Trustee Amy McEvoy spoke of the work the 50 community members have put into the process.
“Many in this room were in the [2021] bond committee, and their dedication to continue— they placed their trust in us and they knew the growth was coming then,” she said. “They supported the efforts to obtain the land that this is going to happen on.”
She also praised Fuller and her administrative team, as well.
“That’s the way [Dr. Fuller] likes to operate,” trustee Justin Chance said, echoing McEvoy. “She loves the community’s opinion; she’s working for the community.”
Trustee Craig Bickers participated as a committee member in the discussion, and the four trustees present avoided forming a quorum by not discussing school business altogether during the meeting.
The information shared with the committee can be found under the “Our Future” tab on pilotpointisd. com.
The sixth and final meeting of the committee has been rescheduled to Jan. 6.
Pilot Point Middle School Principal Taylor Penn demonstrates a mock voting sheet during the bond committee meeting on Dec. 12 at Pilot Point High School. Basil Gist/The Post-Signal
