Willis ISD trustees discussed a proposal for a stand-alone gymnasium at Willis High School, along with the ninth grade center and its gym, one of the district’s 2024 bond projects.
The gist
WISD Chief Operations Officer Bob Eaton addressed the board about the project. Eaton stated that during the design process, “it was determined that the current ninth grade center site footprint could not accommodate both gymnasiums.”
The proposed facility will primarily support instructional programming, student curriculum needs and school-sponsored extracurricular activities, such as athletic classes for credit, health and physical development curriculum, band, dance, cheerleading, and junior ROTC, Eaton said.
“The funding source for the ninth grade center project remains financially stable and within its overall bond allocation, budget management to date has positioned the district to address this need while honoring the commitment made to the voters,” Eaton said.
WISD Financial Chief Garrett Matej addressed the board and said the proposal is able to be funded from the bond election design.
Also on the agenda
The board also discussed the details of a new stadium scoreboard, primarily regarding the cost not going over $200,000. The scoreboard would be 28 by 36 feet, an increase from 19 by 28 feet, Eaton states.
As of now, the total cost of the project is an estimated $747,469, including the following:
- Electrical subcontractor: $82,700
- Scoreboard: $518,444
- Miscellaneous: $35,000
- Architecture and engineering design: $38,169
There will be another meeting with the design team to revisit the layout and the current scoreboard before the next football season.