AISD School Board Calls May Bond Election

ARGYLE ISD SCHOOL BOARD CALLS MAY 7 BOND ELECTION

The Argyle ISD Board of Trustees unanimously voted Tuesday, Jan. 18 evening to call a bond election for May 7, 2022.

Trustees approved the community-led Bond & Growth Planning Committee's (BGPC) recommendation of a $267,885,000 bond proposal which will be presented to voters in three separate propositions on the ballot. If approved, the bond election would include an increase of 1.5 cents to the district’s interest and sinking tax rate.

The BGPC, which was led by co-chairs Leslee Shannon and Rich McDowell, was comprised of 24 members that included parents, Argyle ISD staff, business owners, and community members. The committee held seven meetings starting in October 2021 and closely evaluated the district's student enrollment growth, finances, facilities, and bonding capacity. The committee also studied feedback from a growth and planning survey that included more than 2,700 responses from the community.

The BGPC's recommendation focuses on the district’s student enrollment projections, which include significant enrollment growth at the elementary and middle school levels. The bond package includes funding for two new elementary schools, a new middle school, future land, buses, technology infrastructure, and design fees for a future middle school in Proposition A.

Argyle ISD’s student enrollment is expected to exceed 7,000 by 20262027 and the capacity of the three new campuses would provide an additional 3,100 seats for elementary and middle school students.

The proposed Elementary #4 includes a capacity for 850 students and the estimated opening would be August 2024. Elementary #5 would have the same capacity and its estimated opening would be August 2026. Both elementary campuses would serve pre-kindergarten through 5th grade.

The proposed new middle school would serve grades 6-8 with a capacity for growth, up to 1,400 students.

The committee also focused on the district’s extracurricular needs in association with the growth. The proposal includes two separate extracurricular propositions. Proposition B includes a new 9,000-seat football stadium at Argyle High School in Canyon Falls.

A complete list of proposed projects, with estimated costs and completion dates is as follows:

ARGYLE ISD BOND PROPOSAL- $267,885,000 PROPOSITION A - NEW SCHOOLS, INFRASTRUCTURE, SAFETY UPDATES & BUSES Elementary School #4 - $39,433,000 (2024) Elementary School #5 - $44,512,000 (2026) New Middle School #1 - $103,515,000 (2025) Funding for Future Land - $20,000,000 Design Fees for Middle School #2 - $4,975,000 Buses - $4,500,000 Furniture Refresh (Hilltop & Argyle Middle School) $2,000,000 Safety & Security Updates - $1,000,000 Hilltop Elementary playground improvements - $500,000 Acoustic Sound Shell at AHS auditorium - $350,000 Technology Infrastructure - $300,000 PROPOSITION B - STADIUM Stadium at Argyle High School in Canyon Falls - $26,915,000 (2024) PROPOSITION C - INDOOR ACTIVITY CENTER Indoor Activity Center at AHS in Canyon Falls- $19,885,000 (2025)

Proposition C includes a new indoor activity center at Argyle High School in Canyon Falls. Per state law, the stadium and indoor activity center must be presented to voters in separate propositions.

The committee also had discussions about the projected growth at the high school level and possible options for Argyle High School in the future. Feedback on the future of the high school was also included in the community survey. Ultimately, the committee decided that the Highway 377 campus (current middle school) should be used to serve high school students again in the future. However, the committee did not make any recommendation with regards to grade-level configuration, the ideal enrollment at both campuses, or whether to create a second 9-12 high school for Argyle ISD. Therefore, a long-term plan for the high school is not included in this May 2022 bond package. Using both the AHS campus in Canyon Falls and the Highway 377 campus, Argyle ISD has the capacity to serve 9-12 grade Early voting for the May 7, 2022 election begins Monday, April 25, and ends Tuesday, May 3. The last day to register to vote -- or to update your name or address -- is April 7. Election Day is Saturday, May 7.

School officials will be providing informational presentations throughout the community during the spring leading to the May 7 election. Argyle ISD bond information can be found on the district's website, along with information regarding the BGPC process.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule a bond presentation for your organization or neighborhood, contact Rick Herrin, Argyle ISD Director of Communications, at 940-464-7241 or email at richard.herrin@argyleisd.com.

HEALTHY KIDS Happy Life

Having a healthy lifestyle includes proper nutrition, proper sleep, exercise, and a positive attitude. Proper nutrition is something that should be part of a lifestyle, not a diet, something that is enjoyable and sustainable. Cutting calories is not a good way for kids to maintain proper weight, especially when they are growing. Instead, making nutritious food choices and watching portion size is key to a healthy way of eating.

A proper diet should contain foods from all food groups including healthy fats, lean proteins, and carbohydrates. Healthy fats include olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, avocado, nuts, and seeds. Proteins include lean animal proteins, dairy, or plant-based proteins such as peas, beans, quinoa, chickpeas, etc. Carbohydrates should be non-processed as much as possible. Processed carbohydrates typically come in a box or a pre-packed bag like pasta, breads, cookies, cereals, etc. A good rule of thumb is to shop on the perimeter of the grocery store versus within the aisles. Nonprocessed foods such as vegetables, fruits, and lean meats tend to be located on the perimeter of the store. Kids are more likely to eat fruits and veggies when they eat meals with their families.

A few other important points to remember:

• Fruit juices and sodas should be avoided altogether as they are “empty calories”, full of sugar, and with minimal or no nutritional value

• Avoid eating in front of the TV or while playing video games, people tend to overeat in those scenarios

• Avoid eating too fast, take your time chewing! People tend to overeat and consume more calories than needed by eating fast

• Don’t go for second servings and avoid large plates of food

• Drink water throughout the day and during meals

Exercise is also essential for a healthy lifestyle. Exercise does not have to be for long periods of time, 20-30 min per day of something that elevates their heart rate and gets them sweating, 4-5 days a week is all it takes! Once the child experiences the benefits of exercise and it becomes a habit they will want to continue exercising.

Finally, a good sleep schedule (which varies by age), a positive attitude, and the recommendations listed above will keep our kiddos healthy and less susceptible to illnesses.

by Priscila Vidal, CPNP

940.455.7200 | LantanaPediatrics.com

74 McMakin Rd., Ste. 100 • Bartonville, TX 76226

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