By Rickie R. Harris

In my last few columns, I purposely shared information regarding West Orange-Cove CISD’s proposed bond projects in order to be sure that our community had the appropriate information to make an informed decision in the Nov. 6 bond election. I would like to, now, say thank you to our stakeholders for your support of the district in providing an excellent educational experience for our students!

Thank you to all of the members of the Citizens Advisory Committee for your hard work and research in preparation for the bond. Additionally, I would like to thank City of Orange Mayor Larry Spears, Scott Coker, and Joe Gallow for spearheading the Specific Purpose Committee.

Since the bond has passed, we now move to the implementation process.

Below you will find a project timeline that we will follow as we strive to bring the bond vision into a reality for our students. Bond sales and projects will occur in phases. Selling the bonds at different times will allow our district to:

• Avoid paying interest on money we do not need immediately;
• Keep the tax rate lower because we are not purchasing all of the bonds at once; and
• Assure the district of a better interest rate if we purchase bank qualified notes (under $10 million in one year).

Round 1 – Sell $9.7 million of bank qualified bonds; and, receive funds in February 2019
Projects to begin ASAP:

• Security – $800,000
• Middle School roof replacement – $350,000
• Fencing around Career Center – $60,000
• High School signage – $15,000
• High School chill water piping insulation – $33,000
• Stadium seating – $50,000
• Visitor parking drive – $65,000
• Competition gym flooring & lighting – $200,000

Projects estimated to begin June 2019:

• Science lab – $450,000
• Update classroom furniture – $1,300,000
• Technology – $1,900,000
• High School building “A” roof replacement – $480,000
• Early College High School – $75,000
• Genre library – $50,000
• Math & computer lab updates – $175,000
• Baseball & softball facilities and football turf – $3,300,000
• North Early Learning Center parking lot – $100,000
• Bleacher replacements – $150,000
• HVAC controls – $200,000

 

Round 2 – Sell $9.7 million of bank qualified bonds; receive funds in January 2020

Projects estimated to begin January 2020:

• New press box – $1,800,000
• New competition gym – $10,500,000

 

Round 3 – Sell remainder of bonds, $6,350,000; receive funds in January 2021

Projects estimated to begin 2021:

• Transportation – $2,100,000
• PE gym conversion to weight room – $625,000
• Cosmetology lab – $85,000
• Building and trades renovation – $130,000
• Shop update – $100,000
• Fine arts – $300,000
• HVAC controls – $450,000

 

This timeline may be adjusted as we begin the construction process.

We look forward to the new opportunities this bond will create for the students of WOCCISD and the children of our community. Again, we appreciate your support. We believe in John Maxwell’s philosophy that “One is too small a number to achieve greatness.” Go Mustangs!

 

Dr. Rickie R. Harris is the Superintendent at West Orange – Cove CISD