CISD Board Names Architect For Hopkins Monolithic Dome; Expresses Concerns

Messenger Reporter
CROCKETT - The Crockett Independent School District Board of Trustees met for the second time in two nights on Tuesday, Jan. 10.
The first meeting held on Jan. 9 was a review of the district’s financial audit. The purpose of Tuesday evening’s meeting was to consider and approve a bid for architectural/engineering services for the proposed Andrew J. Hopkins Monolithic Dome/Safe Room. Board member Karen Johnson had a prior commitment and was unable to attend.
CISD Superintendent Dr. Doug Moore reported that the district had received three inquiries and one application for the contract to design the proposed structure. The only bid came from the architectural firm of Leland A. Gray Architects. The firm, based out of Salt Lake City, Utah, also designed the multipurpose facility constructed for Woodsboro ISD, along the Texas Gulf Coast. Dr. Moore informed board members the Gray architectural firm had designed these type of structures “….all over the world.”
The structure is being financed by a grant from FEMA and is based on a 75/25 percent match.
“There are some things that we will need or may need to stagger out as we go through (the building process) that the feds will not let us use the money for,” Dr. Moore said.
Board member Trey Young asked if the total amount of grant monies discussed would include everything. Dr. Moore said the grant the district was receiving from FEMA would not cover certain costs.
“The grant won’t pay for everything,” Dr. Moore said. “That’s the reason we’re trying to get as much ‘in-kind’ donated back to the school. In other words, the county has done some things - they’ve already passed their memorandum of understanding with us and also the city. That money will flow back to us. The total amount of money must be within that grant. We’re not going to go above the grant to come up with 25 percent.”
Young asked where the money was going to come from. Dr. Moore replied funding would have to come out of the regular operating budget. Board Vice-President Deborah Kennedy weighed in on the discussion and said many school districts, including Crockett, had items that were donated by the local citizenry.
Board member Dr. John Garner further questioned what the grant would not cover. He said he understood the grant would not cover a hardwood floor, seating, basketball goals and parking facilities. Dr. Moore said he believed that the parking would be covered.
Dr. Garner added, “What Mr. Young is alluding to, is something that has also been on my mind. I was not aware that so many of the improvements, would not or could not be paid for out of the grant. After that audit yesterday, with a fund balance of only $200,000 - I understand that there may be some budget line item adjustments that we can make but we were also reminded yesterday what the state recommended that we have in our fund balance for emergencies and things of that nature and we have about 1/18th of that. I’m quite concerned about us beginning a project and everybody in the community expecting it to be finished out and ready to be utilized for activities that we have envisioned it for and then us not having the ability to do that because we don’t have the funds.”
Dr. Moore tried to alleviate the concerns saying, “We know we’re going to go through three budget cycles, almost. You will have at least two, probably three, budget cycles to do whatever you have to do.”
Continuing, Dr. Moore explained the total cost to the district was in flux as of now because the actual contracts for the construction were yet to be determined or awarded and he anticipated much of the district’s cost would be offset by “in-kind” donations from the Houston County area.
Kennedy again expressed her support for the project saying, “This is a huge gift and honor to have received this opportunity to build such a safe room. I remember when I first came on the board, we were in the finishing process of opening the new school. I remember that the loan would not pay for certain things and we managed to find what we needed to furnish and finish the school out.”
Wanting to clarify his position on the issue, Trey Young said, “There is not anybody in this room that wants to see this thing built anymore than I do. Number one, I think it would be great for our community; number two, the namesake of who it is for. But ultimately, we are the ones that are responsible and we have to be sure that we are spending our tax dollars wisely. I’ve been excited about this from the beginning, but after I saw what our general fund balance is after last night’s audit and I know what we’ve lost over the years and I know how much the state is cutting us year after year and how much they’re going to cut us this year, I’m really concerned if we’re even going to be able to get it built where we can utilize this facility and are we going to be able to keep up with the insurance and upkeep on it. I’m just real concerned if this is something we need to pull the trigger on and start building with the uncertainties of what our funds are going to be.”
Dr. Moore re-iterated that the district’s cost could be staggered over three years.
“FEMA will let us go 36 months,” he said. “You’re going to be able to go three years. One thing she (the auditor) tried to say last night is that our fund balance will probably be higher next year than this year.”
Seeking to bring the discussion back to the agenda item, Dr. Moore said the first thing that needed to happen was to engage the architect to draw up the plans in order to help determine the overall cost of the project.
“What I’m trying to say is that we need to hire an architect to work on those plans that we’re discussing to get a better idea,” he said. “You’re not really going to know until he gets those plans drawn and we bid the thing out to know exactly what the cost of the thing is. We can sit here and guess, but you’re not going to know. The first part is to engage the architect. If you get to the point where it is too much, then you’ll have to put a halt to the whole thing.
“Most of what you’re talking about right now will be donated by the community,” Dr. Moore continued. “We’re talking about a floor (basketball court), some goals and some seats. You’re talking about $300,000 or maybe $400,000 max. If you stretch it over three years that would be a max of $150,000 (per year). Part of our plan is to also work with the city and the folks over there at Porth Arena. They want to be able to bring people in that they can’t now because of space. In other words, there are more events that will be going on, other than just playing basketball.”
After several more minutes of discussion, a vote was taken to determine whether the district would contract with an architect. Kennedy moved the Leland Gray Architectural firm be offered a contract to design the Andrew J. Hopkins monolithic dome/safe room. The motion was seconded by Roy Johnson. The motion passed by a margin of 5-1, with Dr. Garner casting the dissenting vote. With no further agenda items, the meeting was adjourned.
Will Johnson may be reached via e-mail at wjohnson@messenger-news.com