Our view: Cooper officials trying to stay in front of growth – LubbockOnline.com

AJ Media Editorial Board| Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

Continuing growth to the south and west of Lubbock has led to the rapid expansion of nearby Lubbock-Cooper and Frenship school districts. While expansion is great, it brings a set of unique challenges as facilities feel the stress.

Frenship officials addressed the matter in the Nov. 3 election with the approval of a $300 million bond package that includes the construction of a second high school. Lubbock-Cooper, also facing significant student growth, announced a similar approach earlier this week.

The districts board of trustees approved an ambitious $420 million bond package that includes a second high school, third middle school and sixth elementary school. The item will appear on the May 2 municipal elections. Early voting is scheduled to start April 19, and the last day to register to vote is April 1.

The numbers make a persuasive case for Lubbock-Cooper, which has been one of the fastest growing districts in the state for years. Superintendent Keith Bryant said in our story enrollment is up 33% over the past five years alone, and 45% growth is projected over the next 10 years, according to figures from the district. The district expects to increase from its current 7,100 (approximate) students to 10,500 in the next decade with high school enrollment expanding from approximately 1,800 to 2,400 students.

As any facility planner can testify, theres only so much room before maximum capacity is reached. Getting in front of that is what Lubbock-Cooper, like Frenship, is planning to do.

Our growth shows no signs of slowing, Paul Ehlers, president of the Lubbock-Cooper board, said in our story. It is the responsibility of the LCISD Board of Trustees to thoroughly assess the needs of the district and remain proactive.

Student growth is one important metric. The other is tax impact. Bryant said in our story there will be no direct tax increase associated with the bond. The district will use tax revenue associated with new growth to fund the project. Over the past two years, the district has lowered the tax rate 13 cents from $1.54 per $100 property evaluation to $1.41.

The districts approach also calls for bonds to be issued as funds are available. Projects will be prioritized beginning with the second high school, which officials hope opens its doors by the fall of 2023. It would have, according to officials, its own athletic facilities and is to be located near Woodrow Road and Quaker Avenue. The plan calls for it to be built in phases with it opening to freshman and sophomores to begin with and juniors and seniors following the next year.

If the projected growth continues, the new middle school would open at the start of the 2026-27 school year with the new elementary targeted for the beginning of the 2027-28 academic year.

Besides the big-ticket items like new schools, the package addresses other equally pressing needs such as HVAC and roofing improvements and athletic additions at existing campuses, according to our story.

Lubbock-Cooper is the fastest growing school district in our region and one of the fastest growing school districts in the state, Bryant said in a news release. This proposal was carefully developed to address current and future enrollment.

The districts dramatic and sustained growth requires it to be proactive in responding to the expectations of families drawn by its reputation for excellence, and this bond package is a thoughtful plan to get in front and stay in front of a demand that shows no signs of slowing anytime soon.

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Our view: Cooper officials trying to stay in front of growth - LubbockOnline.com