Hays CISD Board of Trustees approves designs

BUDA — With a 7-0 vote, the Hays CISD Board of Trustees approved multiple projects at its Oct. 23 meeting.

The first was a schematic design for the addition of a weight room at Hays High School. According to trustee Courtney Runkle, the original plans had a wall of glass, which raised safety concerns.

“I love pretty buildings, but at the end of the day, I want efficient buildings,” said Runkle.

She continued, stating that she submitted feedback about the glass and was told that it would be taken into consideration in conversation with chief safety and security officer Jeri Skrocki. Although the glass is an interior wall, she concluded that there should be a standard kept for all glass despite its  placement within the school.

Other discussions for the weight room included the possibility of offices. According to district staff, HHS coaches explained that they did not require office space within the facility as they will primarily be walking around and helping students. Despite this, Hays CISD leaders are discussing an office space for a potential strength coach in the future, if the athletic program continues to expand.

The addition was originally projected to cost $18 million, but as numbers are getting finalized, the price continues to lower. Currently, the estimated cost is $16,733,096.

HHS, along with Barton Middle School, will also be receiving a turn-key lighting project through Musco Sports Lighting for a total of $690,342. Lighting will be installed on the BMS football field that guarantees light levels of 30fc, or foot-candle which is a measurement of light intensity, as well as on BMS and HHS tennis courts that will have 50fc.

The board also accepted a design that improved HVAC equipment, roof systems and parking areas at Wallace and Dahlstrom middle schools, the latter of which will include a new drive loop on the northside that connects to Carpenter Hill Drive.

The development of the upcoming elementary schools were confirmed at the meeting as well. Trustees were presented with “Map Plan G,” which highlighted the attendance zone for the 16th elementary school in the district. According to the plan, it “is the simplest and least disruptive way to make changes to create a zone for elementary #16. There are no students outside the current Negley zone who are affected and there are no recommended changes to middle school and high school maps. This means all students will continue to go to BMS and HHS.”

The area discussed for the school is on the south west side of IH-35, covering RM 150.

Finally, the board members approved $51,981,286 for the design development for elementary school #17. The school will be based off of the Sunfield Elementary School design and is located off of Gristmill Road in Kyle.

Currently, the area is undeveloped, but has plans for retail shops, restaurants, trails, residential areas and more, according to trustee Johnny Flores.

“It just reminds me of when we built Uhland [Elementary] or when we built Camino Real [Elementary]. There [was] really nothing out there and then we built this beautiful school and things started to come to us. We’re the first awesome thing out there and people look around and think, ‘Hey. This is pretty great. I want to live here,’” said trustee Vanessa Petrea. “Those are my favorite schools to build. When there’s nothing there and we just come in and plant a flag.”

The Hays CISD Board of Trustees will meet again on Nov. 13. To watch the meeting, visit www.hayscisd.net/Page/196.