Posted 11:33 pm Thursday, December 13, 2012
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Troup ISD school board talks growth, class space
Troup ISD is looking toward the future and the possibility of continued growth.
During a board meeting this week, district and campus leaders discussed the future of Troup ISD as far as building capacity and space, said Stuart Bird, who has been named the lone finalist for superintendent of the district.
He said there was no serious discussion about reconfiguration, but he did share the most common way — pre-kindergarten through fourth grade in elementary school, fifth and sixth grades in an intermediate school, seventh and eighth grades in middle school and ninth through 12th grades in high school.
“In the end, if there were any results (from the meeting), it is (that space) is something we need to look at. We need to possibly be looking for land in the area around current facilities or land already owned by the district,” Bird said.
During a board meeting this week, district and campus leaders discussed the future of Troup ISD as far as building capacity and space, said Stuart Bird, who has been named the lone finalist for superintendent of the district.
He said there was no serious discussion about reconfiguration, but he did share the most common way — pre-kindergarten through fourth grade in elementary school, fifth and sixth grades in an intermediate school, seventh and eighth grades in middle school and ninth through 12th grades in high school.
“In the end, if there were any results (from the meeting), it is (that space) is something we need to look at. We need to possibly be looking for land in the area around current facilities or land already owned by the district,” Bird said.
“The discussion was we don’t want to wait until we have to do something (and then) start taking steps. We’ll look for some land around the area possibly in the next year or two and see how it turns out.”
Troup ISD has averaged about 2 or 3 percent growth each year during the past 10 years. Bird said one or two classrooms per building are used for storage or a computer lab, so those items might have to be moved to make more class space.
He said within the next three years, the district will need to get more serious about possibly building additional new space or adding onto current campuses.
For now, board member Bill Lacy said there aren’t plans to do anything. But as Troup ISD grows, the district wants to ensure that it has facilities for all students.
“We just said keep researching and see what the options are,” Lacy said. “We don’t want to run out of room, so keep looking and see what options are. Just look at all our options and tell us what you think is best and why.”
Troup ISD has averaged about 2 or 3 percent growth each year during the past 10 years. Bird said one or two classrooms per building are used for storage or a computer lab, so those items might have to be moved to make more class space.
He said within the next three years, the district will need to get more serious about possibly building additional new space or adding onto current campuses.
For now, board member Bill Lacy said there aren’t plans to do anything. But as Troup ISD grows, the district wants to ensure that it has facilities for all students.
“We just said keep researching and see what the options are,” Lacy said. “We don’t want to run out of room, so keep looking and see what options are. Just look at all our options and tell us what you think is best and why.”
