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Real Talk: what's next for GISD facilities

November 9, 2022

Dear GISD Family,
 

The results are in for the November 8 bond election, and sadly, the voters did not approve the proposal.  But let's count our blessings and be grateful for each of the 4,387 Greenville Citizens who voted 'yes' for new schools for our students.

 

Though disappointing, it does not minimize the fact that we all believe our students and staff deserve the very best learning environments, and in spite of the vote, we will continue to serve our students well.

 

Respecting the voters' wishes, we will move forward with the resources and facilities that we have.

 

We have taken a close look at our existing facilities, and we will have four relocations ​in the upcoming years, listed below and illustrated in the graphic. 

  1. L.P. Waters will move to the building on Jack Finney Blvd. (currently New Horizons High School). We anticipate needing nine two-classroom portable buildings since the building only has 13 classrooms.
  2. New Horizons High School will move to the building on Moulton St. (currently the Wesley Martin Administration building).
  3. The administrative offices will relocate to the building on Lee St. (formerly L.P. Waters).
 
How much will all this cost? Estimates are over $120,000 per portable building, not including plumbing, sidewalks and awnings. The grand total will likely add up to well over $3 million, which will need to be paid out of fund balance. 
 
We will continue to uphold our belief that our students are always the focus of our work, and we will continue to pour our energy and efforts into advocating for what is best for them. It is gratifying knowing that the GISD family goes far beyond the walls of our schools.
 

I would like to thank these advocates and community partners who fought hard for the bond proposal in the belief that it was important to the future of our children and our community: 

  • The Community Advisory Committee and visioning participants, consisting of teachers, administrators, GISD employees, parents, business owners, pastors and citizens for devoting countless evenings and hours to identifying immediate district needs and taking the recommendations to the GISD School Board to encourage a vote be brought to the voters to rebuild, refurbish or add to the facilities of GISD. 
  • Our architect (Corgan) and our financial advisor (Samco Capital) for providing factual information about conditions of facilities, estimates for prioritized projects and financial models for projecting bond portfolios. 
  • Greenville Mayor Jerry Ransom, the Greenville City Council and the Greenville Chamber of Commerce for their valued partnership and public support of GISD and for the bond proposal.  
  • The Greenville Board of Trustees for its fearless leadership and for asking the voters of Greenville to support what's best for teachers and students of GISD. 
  • The Political Action Committee (PAC) for their hearts for children and their countless hours of hard work. Led by GISD Board President Aletha Kruse, Trustee Bonnie-Jean Stewart and many others, these passionate citizens knocked on doors, put up yard signs, shared facts and figures, and made the case for our students and their future. 
  • The many civic and community groups who gave us their attention and feedback as we visited to share the facts about the bond. 
  • Friendlee News and GEUS for streaming our town hall sessions and helping us communicate the facts. 
  • The voters who took the time to voice their desire to make Greenville ISD better for our students and staff. We respect every vote, yes or no, and we will continue to work side-by-side with our community because we know this is what GISD students and staff deserve.

Even under difficult circumstances, we will always stand GISD United.

 

Sharon Boothe 
Superintendent of Schools