Photo by Carrie Pryor-Newman
Angelina Reyes, receptionist at Goose Creek Memorial High School, starts her day by scanning her employee I.D. badge to enter the building. The scanners were installed as safety and security features as a result of the 2013 Bond.
Bond 2018 Enhances Safety and Security
By: Susan Passmore
With voter approval May 5, the 2018 Goose Creek CISD Bond referendum would add to the numerous safety and security measures that were accomplished as part of the 2013 Bond.
Proposition Two of the successful $267.54 million bond proposal in 2013 provided for safety and security improvements on each campus. These items, recommended by the Facilities Planning Committee after reviewing the facility condition assessment conducted by VLK Architects and Jacobs and receiving input from campus administrators, included adding vestibules at school front entries which did not have one, security cameras, exterior lockable card access, interior room locks and perimeter fencing with drive-thru control.
Proposition One of the 2018 Bond includes additional safety and security features recommended by the Citizens Facilities Planning Committee, such as adding hardware and a call box at the existing security vestibules at Goose Creek Memorial High School, Highlands Junior School, Horace Mann Junior School and the elementary campuses of Crockett, Carver, Lamar, Travis and Victoria Walker. All other campus vestibules were renovated with the 2013 Bond. In addition, the Intrusion Alarm Installation Project provides for installation of additional card readers at exterior doors and intrusion sensors. This would complete all planned security measures across the district.
Another safety and security item in Proposition One is fencing along the perimeter of (this is happening with 2013 bond funds after all) Stuart Career Tech High School. This would feature ornamental fencing and an electric gate at the front of the campus and chain link fencing at the sides and back of the site. Fencing and gates at other campuses were addressed with the 2013 Bond. Additionally, safety upgrades via technology infrastructure are included in the bond. These items would include replacing the district telephone system and replacing safety and security systems, such as cameras.
The Stallworth Stadium Renovation Project, also part of Proposition One, would address the unpaved and poorly-lit parking lot at Stallworth Stadium as well as provide a new intrusion alarm system for the press box.
The $437.4 million bond to be taken to voters includes, among other projects in Proposition One, a new junior school, two new elementary schools, a replacement campus for San Jacinto Elementary and a center for the Special Education Department and the Curriculum and Instruction Department. Proposition Two provides for a new multi-purpose center to accommodate district events, such as graduation, staff training, student instruction and state/regional/area competitions and tournaments.
Early voting begins April 23. Election Day is May 5 at the Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District Administration Building at 4544 Interstate 10 East, Baytown, from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. For more information, visit the website at http://www.gccisd.net/page/Bond18.