The Godley ISD Long Range Facility Planning Committee held its third session on November 1, 2023, at R.B. Godley Elementary School.

The group continued its work prioritizing projects for a recommendation to school board trustees, who will make a final determination on any potential bond election.  With the large committee broken out into smaller groups, each focused on immediate needs for the next five years based on a moderate-growth scenario previously presented by demographers.

At the first session on Oct. 4, the committee received updates on projects from the May 2021 bond, reviewed projects postponed from the 2021 bond initiative due to an inflationary economy leading to higher costs and heard an updated demographics report.  The group also reflected on the unsuccessful May 2023 bond election with smaller groups discussing and reporting out on the best plan to move forward.

For the second session on Oct. 25, Hilltop Securities managing director Jeff Robert reviewed the school district’s financial position and the general structure of bonds to pay for new buildings and capital projects.  Robert also explained the interest and sinking tax rate, which is used only to pay down debt as well as interest payments and is separate from the maintenance and operations tax rate that goes towards salaries, utilities and other general operating expenses. The group also reviewed current and future campus capacities as well as projects that could be included in a potential bond.

The advisory committee is holding meetings this fall to develop a recommendation for the school board. The group will consider how growth in Godley and the surrounding area will create needs for current campuses and needs for future facilities and infrastructure.

With over 50 members, the committee convenes for meetings in a safe, supportive and orderly environment so that members, regardless of their background, feel comfortable actively participating in order to provide open and constructive input.