Board workshop on bond issue

(CAMERON) The Cameron School Board held a workshop Monday night, and then approved a publicity calendar for the May 5^th bond election. The calendar includes a town meeting next Thursday, April 19^th, to discuss with the public, the bond election. That meeting will begin at 7:30 in the New Yoe High Gymnasium.

During the workshop , Architect Jim Booher (pictured left) was on hand to present a more detailed drawing of the proposed new Yoe High School Campus. Around 20 people were on hand for the workshop, and several questions concerning the project were raised including the role Old Main would serve should a new high school be built. The board agreed that the building would be utilized, and in further discussion during the regular meeting last night, came to the conclusion that the district would need the extra space for meetings, testing, and administrative offices.

Booher said the proposed new 49,000 square foot High School includes administrative offices that could easily be renovated into 3 classrooms if need. The new plan, including the new high school and the old Ben Milam class rooms, would provide 32 high school classrooms. Currently the district has around 30 instructional classrooms, however the proposed plan would relocate classrooms from the old gymnasium and home economics building. The new construction, along with renovations to the Old Ben Milam School, would cost around $6.5 million. Other proposed projects such as parking lots and tennis courts, would put the cost over $7 million. Booher suggested a prioritized list to determine how far the bond money would go. Superintendent Doug Kobernick said a flyer will be distributed soon, offering both financial and construction information on the project. The board is proposing a tax hike of around 10 cents per $100 valuation to pay for the construction. The board continues to stress that even if the bond election passes, no bonds will be issued unless the Instructional Facilities Allotment funds are acquired from the state. The IFA funds are expected to pay two-thirds of the bond indebtedness.