Science lab Its classrooms spread among three buildings and two campuses, Brownsboro Junior High School students are forced to cross traffic zones several times a day to complete their schedules.

And that's a safety issue Principal Yolanda Larkin hopes is resolved following a possible tax election next year that would raise funds for capital improvements throughout the Brownsboro Independent School District.

"The main thing is to not have the kids so spread out," she said. "We use the main building, science wing and east wing, and students go to the school for drama and band. We also have six portable buildings for classrooms. "

The science lab also has classroom space and is behind the junior high, near the portable buildings. The east wing is on the other side of Ingram Street behind the district administration building.

Students must cross a practice field to the west and the bus loading and unloading zone to reach Brownsboro High School.

Larkin "To me, it's an issue with school safety," Larkin said. "The science lab is not that bad, but the east wing is. It almost feels like you're too far away.

"The number one thing is bad weather. During rainy days, you lose some instruction time because you have to bus your kids, and we've had to bus a lot this year."

At the same time, the prin- cipal said, students don't mind crossing property lines to get to class.On nice days, they love it. They get some exercise, it relieves stress, and they're happy." Still, the campus needs to be more centralized, and hallways in the main building need to be extended, Larkin said.

"We have that practice field where we could extend these wings. I think we would keep our science wing, but we want to get the east wing over here with us."

Much like the other older campuses in the district, Brownsboro Junior High was built with little to no anticipation for growth. It's why officials have been forced to add wings, rooms, and portable buildings at a number of schools here.

Practice field "This school wasn't built with growth in mind," Larkin said. "But the school district has done a good job of adding on over the years and updating what we have."

Texas School Planning was hired in October to consult the district on a 10- year facilities plan. Larkin said she likes what she's seen so far from the company.

"I like what (Dr. Arnold Oates) is doing. I think they're going to look at a facility study and come up with some options."

The district has grown about 60 percent over the last 20 years, and continues to grow 3 percent annually. Enrollment at Brownsboro Junior High is about 450.

"We're doing good, but it would be nice to see things added on. And I think the district is looking 10 to 20 years down the road, looking at not just what we need right now but also what we'll need later."

Portable classrooms A tax rollback election that would have funded district improvements was defeated two years ago, but Larkin said voters will likely support a bond proposal in 2010.

"This community cares a lot about its kids. I don't know what it's going to take, but I think the community will support a bond proposal if they think that's what we need."

Oates, the president of Texas School Planning, said the initial three-phase planning process leading up to a possible tax election would include heavy community involvement. District Superintendent Elton Caldwell has said the election could come as early as next November.
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