Trustees discuss design
By LISA CARNLEY Staff Writer

At Monday night's called meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Lampasas Independent School District, trustees received more detailed plans about the new high school campus to be built south of town on U.S. Highway 281. Discussion came during a presentation on the design development phase.

"We are tracking right on schedule," said Rick Burnight, architect from O'Connell Robertson of Austin, the LISD's architectural firm. "We are looking at an August 2009 opening, and we want approval for the general design process," which the firm got unanimously from trustees.

The 223,756-square-foot facility includes an athletic field house with nearly 17,000 square feet, with total construction costs estimated at $35,643,123.

Construction is expected to begin in early March 2008.

"Our goal is still the same: a quality instructional environment, community pride and the most for taxpayers' dollars," said Burnight.

A $48.85 million bond issue is providing funds for several new district campuses, including a 650-student elementary school in the east end of the county that should be ready for occupancy for the 2009-10 term.

Upgrades to Kline Whitis Elementary and the current high school campus to modify it for middle schoolers also are included in the bond package.

Removal of portable buildings is high on the priority list for Superintendent Dr. Brant Myers. Many portables have been part of the LISD facilities for numerous years and are not in good shape, he said earlier.

Myers would like to see campus renovations begin soon, along with removal of the portables.

In other business Monday, board members heard a report from Shane Jones, director of finance, who reported that the LISD received the state's highest financial accountability rating. The 76th Texas Legislature authorized implementation of the School First Financial Rating system to improve management of school districts' resources.

The LISD was granted a "superior" rating due to its positive response to 21 indicators.

Jones added that the district's tax collection rate stood at 99 percent for the 2005-06 year, an increase from previous years.