Its structure outdated and enrollment near capacity, Brownsboro Elementary School won't be able to accomodate more students if the district continues to grow at its current rate of 3 percent each year.

The situation there is not dissimilar to other campuses in the district. But Brownsboro Elementary is over 40 years old, making it one of the oldest.

Principal Brian Ralson said the school has outgrown itself.

"The building has been added onto three times. The pre-K and kindergarten wing is the oldest, and it needs to be larger. The gym was built in the 1980s or 1970s and still has tile flooring."

Brownsboro Elementary is situated behind Brownsboro Junior High School, south of State Highway 31, and west of the district administration building.

Both schools are on Ingram Street, and little - if any - room is left for expansion. The possibility exists that a new elementary school is eventually built, if voters approve a bond proposal as early as 2010 to finance this and other projects to improve district campuses.

A tax election in 2010 would be the second in three years by the district.

"We tried to make improvements with a tax rollback election two years ago, but it was defeated," Ralson said. "If the economy takes a big downturn, it's hard to get anything passed."

Trustees on Oct. 12 contracted Texas School Planning Inc. to consult the district on a 10-year facilities plan. Ralson said committees made up of business leaders, elected officials, parents, and others are expected to be formed during the process.

"Parents see the same thing we see - that we've outgrown our facilities. They know, though, that the teachers are doing an outstanding job."

Educators are making do with cramped, improvised office space, small and outdated library and cafeteria, and shrinking classroom space. Its enrollment is at 450.

Ralson said he has to stagger classes for lunch from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. because the cafeteria is so small.

"I can fit 124 in here at one time. I run one class about every five minutes."

Brownsboro Elementary is one of at least three campuses that could benefit from an approved bond proposal in 2010.

At Chandler Elementary School, the loading and unloading zone is inadequate for cars and buses, and parking for parents and faculty has been labeled almost "nonexistent" by Superintendent Elton Caldwell.

And Brownsboro Junior High School is divided among several buildings on along State Highway 31.

District officials have reported the student population has increased by about 60 percent over the last 20 years.

Similar growth over the next two decades would push enrollment to more than 4,000 students.
Ralson