2021 Bond Update
Bastrop Independent School District ~ June 30, 2022
In this first year after passing our 2021 bond, we have experienced a construction market like never before with significant price increases and labor shortages. This has had a tremendous impact on the projects that have been first out of the gate including our two new elementary schools, Mina Elementary, Bastrop High School, and Cedar Creek High School. We have been forced to make adjustments.
In this issue, we will discuss some of those adjustments and will continue to keep you informed as we move forward.
In This Update
* New Elementary Schools
* Mina Elementary
* Bastrop Intermediate / Cedar Creek Intermediate
* Bastrop High School
* Cedar Creek High School
New Elementary Schools
Two new PK-5 schools are planned for Bastrop and Cedar Creek. One is located in The Colony (new area off FM 969), and the other is located on the northwest corner of FM 812 and Highway 21.
Items Completed or In Progress for Elementary School #1 (The Colony site)
- Have applied for an official 9-1-1 address; awaiting response
- Drainage/final plat has been submitted. Scheduled for review by the City of Bastrop on June 30.
- County development permit has been submitted. Will also submit approved drainage plan for review by the county upon city approval.
- Playground equipment has been selected and ordered.
- Groundbreaking is set for July 13 at 12:15 pm.
Items Completed or In Progress for Elementary School #2 (812/21 site)
- Construction started June 27.
- Very excited to announce our official 9-1-1 address, which is 2380 FM 812, Dale TX, 78616.
- TxDOT drive final approved in June; submitted signal design to TxDOT and awaiting comments.
- Aqua Water fire line and water supply line approved.
- Playground equipment has been selected and ordered.
- Groundbreaking is set for July 13 at 11:00 am.
Mina Elementary
Our goal for Mina was to have 100% of the school on the east side of Hill Street. Based upon what we can afford and in consultation with Mina administration, we have made the decision to keep the dining facilities on the west side. Beginning in 2023-24, all instructional programming will be on the east side, including a new two-story building that will house PK-1st grade, life skills, and early childhood special education. The other buildings on the east side will house 2nd-5th grade including specials (art, music and PE). Students will cross the street for meals only.
Items Completed or In Progress
- Inter Local Agreement received support from City Council on May 24, 2022. We forwarded the ILA to the City Attorney and city staff, but we are still awaiting the City Attorney's review of the ILA so that we can proceed with work at Mina.
- Building plans, drainage, final plat and 9-1-1 official address were submitted for city review, which occurred on June 23 with comments/instructions from the City, which we are working through.
- Playground equipment has been selected and ordered; some site work has been started to prepare for the new playground.
Bastrop Intermediate / Cedar Creek Intermediate
Because of inflation, price increases, and general market conditions, we have had to explore alternatives for saving money in our 2021 bond program. The most cost effective solution is to delay the conversion of the intermediate schools into middle schools. By delaying the conversion, we eliminate the immediate need for a competition gym, concessions, locker rooms and the like. The intermediate schools will still see security improvements and general refurbishments with the 2021 bond, some of which are occurring this summer.
Beginning in fall 2023 (which is the first year fifth graders remain at elementary), BIS will house 6th graders as part of Bastrop Middle School, and CCIS will house 6th graders as part of Cedar Creek Middle School. Seventh and eighth graders will continue to attend school on their current campuses.
The decision to delay the conversion of the intermediate schools into middle schools has been a difficult one, and we believe we have weighed all of the options available to us for accomplishing the overall goals of the 2021 bond. We believe that concentrating our bond dollars on growth at the elementary levels and improvements to our high schools is the greater priority at this time.
Bastrop High School
We are currently working through a final design, which is expected to be completed in the next few weeks with pricing complete in mid August.
Cedar Creek High School
- Demolition work in the learning community areas on the first floor began May 30. Demolition work on the second floor will begin next week. The plan is to enclose those before school starts so that work can continue when students start back to school in August.
- The teacher workrooms scheduled for demolition will remain intact until the Winter Break, giving staff a little more time to prepare their classrooms and get school started.
- To help with construction and for growth, additional classroom portables are being installed at the back of the campus.
Bastrop Independent School District
Email: news@bisdtx.org
Website: bisdtx.org
Location: 906 Farm Street, Bastrop, TX, USA
Phone: 512-772-7100
Facebook: facebook.com/bastropisdtx
Twitter: @BastropISD