Crane bond proposal

If the community of Crane likes the idea, there could be another elementary school building project on the horizon.

Crane Independent School District trustees are scheduled to consider a proposed one-time bond election at the Feb. 16 school board meeting. But board members and superintendent Larry Lee want it clear that the $7 million dollar bond issue is only being considered.

"We’re looking into a bond proposal. We haven’t called anything yet," Lee said.

The proposed bond, if put on a ballot and approved, will allow the school district to construct a new building housing third through fifth grade at Crane Elementary School. The building would be technologically up to date, featuring a newly constructed cafeteria and library. The bond would also pay for the school’s old cafeteria to be remodeled and used as a multipurpose room.

The elementary school project is part of the district’s long-range building project, agreed on by the trustees and superintendent in 2006, Lee said.

"A lot of our buildings were built around the same time, so if you don’t replace them little by little, you’ll get stuck doing it all at the same time," Lee said.

Phase I of the elementary school project is scheduled for completion this summer, opening for the fall 2010-’11 school year. Crane students from pre-kindergarten to second grade are currently housed either in a building constructed in the 1930s or in portable buildings. Grades pre-k through second grade will move into the new building next fall. If Phase II is approved their old building will be demolished to make way for the new third through fifth grade building, director of physical operations, Alan Swinford said

Phase I of the project was $7.5 million, paid for through district funds provided by tax dollars.

It is estimated Phase II will cost about $8.5 million, with $7 million coming from the bond election. The school district would use district funds to pay for the difference, Lee said. Lee said Crane ISD could pay for Phase II out of its own budget, but it would bring district reserves down to a level he and the trustees are uncomfortable with during these shaky economical times.

"Anytime you improve your education program you are helping your community. These are certainly tough economic times to be raising taxes, but it will be entirely up to the community and how they vote. It’s their choice," Lee said.

Longtime educator and Crane resident Kathrin Davidson said she was not sure about using a bond to pay for the project.

"It would be nice if they’d get it finished, but I’m not sure about this bond issue," Davidson said.

Crane community member Joseph Grawburg said he didn’t understand why the board would pay interest on bond money when they could just pay the bill directly.

"You don’t get a loan on a car when you’ve got the $25,000 to pay for it. If you’ve got the cash, why not use the cash?" he said.

If the board does vote to call the bond election, it will be up to voters to decide whether or not to support it when they go to the polls May 8, Crane ISD school board president Van Dodd said. If they bond is not approved, district officials will not put Phase II into action, Dodd said.

"The community wants what’s best for the voters. They always have and always will. It’s entirely up to the voters to determine whether the elementary school project will continue or not, when all is said and done," Dodd said.

THE BOND TAX

>> The tax rate on a $25,000 home would increase by $6.85.

>> The tax rate on a $50,000 home would increase by $23.96.

>> The tax rate on a $100,000 home would increase by $58.19.

>> The tax rate on a $125,000 home would increase by $75.51.

>> The tax rate on a $150,000 home would increase by $92.42.

Source: Superintendent Larry Lee