Oates Campuses must be expanded and others built if the Brownsboro Independent School District is going to accomodate students over the next decade and longer, officials said during a meeting to gauge interest and gather support for a possible bond proposal next year.

"Our board of trustees has started a process I hope will eventually lead to an improvement of our facilities, " Superintendent Elton Caldwell said before about 70 people Nov. 11.

"We've been accused in the past of not being transparent, so we wanted to call this informal meeting to talk to you about where we're headed and to get your suggestions and ideas. This is not a perfect school system, but it's a good school system."

Community stakeholders told Texas School Planning President Dr. Arnold Oates they'd like to see the construction of a fine arts building, new football stadium, and possibly a middle school in Chandler.

Football stadium They also suggested eventually moving Brownsboro High School to Chandler, and questioned transporation costs, expanded utilities, land availability in Brownsboro, and technological needs.

"We want to try to develop a vision for 20 years and a plan for 10," Oates said. "You're at capacity at nearly all your schools. When the state comes along and adds a program, you have to add another classroom. The life of a building is about 40 years."

The district's two elementary schools are at least that old, and both have run out of space, despite the fact they have been expanded several times.

Brownsboro Junior High School is in better condition, but its students must attend classes on three properties.

At Brownsboro High School, the main structure is in relatively good condition, but it has run out of space, too, and its student-athletes and coaches have to tolerate an outdated football stadium, makeshift fieldhouse, and small dressing areas and restrooms.

Fieldhouse showers The school's theatrical program also needs more space.

"We just finished doing an evaluation of your schools," Oates said. "You are the district. Your values and beliefs are what make up the Brownsboro School District.

"We have one toilet that serves over 200 athletes and limited showers and urinals, " Wooten said.

The school also has problems in other areas. The theatre arts building south of the football stadium is too small to host large events and competitions.

"It seats close to 400. The theatre itself is really nice and compact, but it's really dated. We are in need of an auditorium."

And during football games, about 20 people pack into the west side of that building to serve food.

"In the next few years, we're going to be at an academic emergency," Wooten said. "We're going to be maxed out."

Fieldhouse Like the two elementary schools and the junior high nearby, Brownsboro High has been expanded over the years. It has added wings and portable buildings as enrollment has increased.

But expansion can't continue at the same rate. Wooten said building a new high school might have to be considered.

"I think so. With the growth projected, what kind of schooll do you want for our kids? We're already beyond capacity in the athletic and theatre areas. We're at an emergency state."

Texas School Planning is working with district officials and community leaders to determine which schools must be renovated or even replaced or moved.

A tax election could come as early as November 2010 to finance the project. Wooten, who's been the high-school principal for three years, said the district has few options remaining.

"I think the challenge for us is, where do we start? I think the important thing is just to start and have an ongoing process of evaluating and enhancing our facilities. I think we all agree something needs to be done."

Growth in Smith and Henderson Counties over the next 30 years is expected to be substantial.

The district has grown about 60 percent over the last 20 years, and continues to grow 3 percent annually. The projected population in Henderson County by 2010 is more than 81,300.

By 2020, it is expected to be over 90,000 and, by 2030, the population is projected to reach 100,000.

Much of that growth will happen west and south of Tyler and will include Chandler.