Albany ISD explores bond options for upgrades
By Melinda L. Lucas
After ordering the May 3 election and hearing some routine administrative reports, the Albany ISD board of trustees spent more than an hour going over an assessment of the AISD facilities, presented by J.D. Coffee of Teinert Construction.
The trustees are exploring the options of a bond issue, with the possibility of construction or extensive renovation of current facilities.
Coffee and his associate, Justin Haines, prepared a printed report with photos and a recap of findings at both campuses following a December walk-through and inspection.
Although there were “critical deficiencies” at the elementary and junior high facilities, the focus at Monday’s meeting ended up squarely on the high school building.
Probably the most significant problem for the structure, built in 1959, was the lack of a way to retrofit new heating and cooling systems without actually “raising the roof.”
Coffee’s opinion was that the cost to accommodate new ductwork in the present building would be “astronomical” and didn’t even address the other issues.
In addition to the HVAC and other mechanical system problems, also listed were ADA violations, especially in regard to restrooms and entrances, as well as aging electrical systems and “dangerous” placement of electrical panels, security, lack of storage, structural issues, roofs, and the lack of a secure data room.
“Addressing these deficiencies will be essential to maintain a safe, functional, and accessible campus for students, staff, and visitors,” Coffee said in his report.
He commented that there is no restroom accessible for a student in a wheelchair, and none of the entrances are ADA compliant.
Board member Reggy Spencer confirmed with Coffee that the campus is “grandfathered in” with current facilities, but he noted that if any change or improvement is made other than maintenance, the district would then have to fully comply with ADA standards.
“The bones are unfortunately not great,” Coffee said. “There are some pretty bad problems at the elementary and junior high buildings, but the high school is in far worse shape than the others.”
Board members gave new superintendent Daryl Stuard an overview of the district’s property between the secondary campus and Hwy. 6, which could accommodate a new high school, possibly with an entrance off Hwy. 6.
Coffee emphasized that his report did not include the secondary gym or any portable buildings.
He said that the junior high building, constructed in the 1980s was “sound,” but needed updating and renovation.
At the elementary campus, the newer buildings completed in the late 1990s also need some updates and renovation, but there were older areas that Coffee deemed unusable and unsafe, including the entire south wing, the original auditorium that most recently housed the band hall, locker rooms on the east part of the gym, and parts of the north wing.
“Can we even survive the next 10 years [keeping the current high school building]?” asked trustee Matt Bellah. “Would the costs even be feasible to keep it going?”
Coffee commented that a plan was years overdue, and the district needs a path forward.
“The bottom line is that our kids deserve better even if you could stretch it to another 10 years,” Stuard said.
When asked to estimate the cost of a new high school, Coffee said it would be $18-20 million for the same size building, “bare bones,” including a band hall and auditorium, but not including ag facilities or a gym.
“I think we have to include an ag building,” trustee Joe Tidwell. “That program is too important.”
For both a new high school and needed improvements for the other two buildings, Coffee estimated $30 million.
“In a perfect world, $40 million would cover almost everything, but you could do a lot for $30 million,” Coffee said.
One of the scenarios presented to the board by a bond specialist last fall indicated a 35 cent I&S for a $20 million bond over 30 years.
Tidwell noted that when he was first elected to the board in 2019, the district’s tax rate was $1.06. Because of “compression” and homestead exemptions, the rate is now at 66 cents per $100 valuation, a 40-cent decrease.
Spencer observed that getting a bond election on the November 2025 ballot would require quick action by the board.
“What I’m taking home from this is that the cost of not doing anything in the long run will be the most expensive option,” Bellah said.
Coffee said that Teinert ideally likes to start new schools at the first of the year. With a 16-18 month construction timeline, that would put students in classrooms the fall of the following year.
No action was taken, as the assessment was a part of the superintendent’s report.
“This is a good first step,” Stuard said. “There is a lot of history and character at this school that we want to keep, but our students deserve better at every level.”
Before adjourning, a motion passed to change the local policy regarding the board meeting time, which is now officially changed to 5:30 p.m. on the third Monday of each month.
