This time around, after gathering feedback from residents, the district has come back with a redesigned plan for a middle school at a cost of $29 million.
Officials said the plan would cost residents about 5.4 cents per $100 valuation. Someone with a $100,000 home would pay an additional $54 per year. The district will utilize $1 million in an interest and sinking fund balance for construction.
The new school, which would be constructed off Avenue D, would be about 145,000 square feet, 15,000 square feet less than the original design plan. It could house about 900 students.
The district has said a new middle school was identified as a high priority by the Long Range Facilities Planning Committee that met in the fall of 2008 and spring of 2009. Current middle school enrollment is 1,991, with capacity at 1,856. By 2011, district officials say, enrollment is expected to be 400 to 500 students over capacity, and almost 900 students over capacity by 2013.
For more information on the bond, visit the Belton ISD Web site at http://www.bisd.net/bond/index.aspx.
dfearson@temple-telegram.com
