VVISD mulls future $3.2M bond project fund use

   Van Vleck ISD board of trustees met on April 22 to discuss projects that need to be addressed using $3.2 million that is in the Bond Project Fund. 
  That money was earned from interest since the district spent the original $88M that the taxpayers approved in 2017. 
  “The district was successful in meeting the bond goals of building three new buildings for academics; renovating the Ag Shop, Old Gym/Auditorium, and some football field revisions, including new home stands and a resurfaced track,” said VVISD Superintendent Christie Dement in a press release. 
  “They also referred to their 3-year district and campus improvement plans that they would like to see that will benefit the students, staff, and community in Van Vleck in the coming years. First and foremost, the board wants to finish the demolition of both the E. Rudd Intermediate and O.H. Herman Middle School buildings.” 
  VVISD Board President Tony Kucera, Jr. stated that the board will make certain to honor the requests of the community for creating a larger playground area for elementary students. 
  “Given the fact that the students will use this playground as part of their required daily physical education and recess activities, the school falls under the extensive safety guidelines as set forth by the Texas Education Agency following the incident at Uvalde,” added Dement. 
  “The district is required to place a safety fence around the entire perimeter of the playground.” 
  Kucera also stated that the district will create a park at the Herman site and dedicate it to the memory of the O.H. Herman Alumni. 
  Further plans include upgrades to the parking as well as the softball/baseball fields, as well as upgrading the entire complex. 
  “Following a community meeting last year and to be fiscally sound, remain safe, and prepare for the future, the community decided in a survey to demolish the older buildings,” said Dement. 
  “E. Rudd Intermediate is not a historical site, the entire Van Vleck Independent School District is. 
  “The demolition for the E Rudd Intermediate building is progressing and is planned to be complete by the end of May.” 
  There was no asbestos found in E. Rudd Intermediate as it had already been abated, as it was inspected by Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) Licensed Asbestos Inspector Mark Wev. 
  The O.H. Herman Middle School building is scheduled for the summer, following an asbestos abatement to be completed by Jon Woodard with Sitek Omni that is currently ongoing. 
  There was discussion concerning drainage at the track and field playing surfaces as well as at the baseball/softball complex which prompted the meeting for the board to have a discussion and consider possible action regarding the preparation of requests for proposals (RFPs) for upgrading the track and field playing surfaces at Burl McKinney Stadium. 
  During the previous bond, the track was only re-surfaced by the contractor, Drymalla. 
  “According to Skanska Bond Project Manager Tim Richard, there is no warranty,” said Dement. 
  “Measures need to be taken to fix the drainage for the playing field and track.” 
  Superintendents from within VVISD’s playing district, within the county, and surrounding counties provided information to Dement as she gathered information for the board of trustees. 
  The visitor’s side stands were not included in the bond renovation in 2017. 
  “We did receive numerous complaints last season about the safety of the visitors’ stands as well as water standing near the restrooms,” said Dement. 
  “The board does want to upgrade those as well as it is a safety concern. This is also being addressed as we want for our visitors to sit safely and comfortably. 
  “Following the completion of the aforementioned goals, the plans are to continue to provide state-of-art safety measures, continue to maintain the nice buildings we have, and give our future generations a place to be proud of so that they can learn and participate in extracurricular activities with pride,” she added.