By Raymond Billy

rbilly@jacksonvilleprogress.com

The Jacksonville Independent School District Board of Trustees held its semiannual Board Retreat on Thursday at the Lake Jacksonville home of JISD Board President Larry Folden. The purpose of the special meeting was to allow trustees to exchange ideas in a more relaxed atmosphere than can be enjoyed during the regular monthly meeting.

The ideas shared at the retreat are intended to be food for thought and do not necessarily reflect actions that may be considered at later public meetings.

One of the items on the meeting’s agenda, titled “Alternative Campus Construction Styles for Future Bond Considerations,” was presented by James Tarrant Jr. In the presentation, Tarrant explored means of constructing a new school that would reduce the cost of such a project.

“Jim Tarrant offered an idea that if and when we came back with another bond election, we might come back with a different construction style and it might be more of a metal building type construction to build schools,” said JISD Superintendent Stuart Bird.

Bird said that the style outlined in Tarrant’s presentation would entail building a brick facade over what is essential a metal facility. But, Bird said, using metal in the construction process may not represent a perfect solution to JISDs bond woes.

“There are also some issues dealing with those kinds of buildings long term that would have to be considered,” Bird said. “It’s just something to look at.”

Voters narrowly rejected a $19 million bond proposal last November. The proposal would have allowed JISD to build a replacement of Joe Wright Elementary School.

Bird has previously said he does not believe a fourth bond election in as many years will occur at any point in 2008. Tarrant’s presentation is part of a longer process that will determine what type of proposal has the best chance of generating approval from the electorate at-large, Bird said.

“I think we have to begin laying a foundation for the possibility of another bond issue some time in the future. Whether that’ll be in 2009 or 2010, I can’t answer that question,” he said.

In a related topic not on the agenda for the special meeting, JISD has distributed requests for qualifications to architects who may be contracted to draw up plans for the expansion of Nichols Intermediate School. In a presentation made during the December JISD board meeting, Nichols Principal Tammy Jones said the school’s projected rate of enrollment growth over the next several years would necessitate additional classroom space to comfortably house students.

“We’ll have a recommendation for an architect at the next board meeting. Then, that architect will take that project forward to determine cost. Once we’ve determined cost and if it’s within our budget to proceed with that project, then we will determine the method of delivery,” Bird said.

Jones said Nichols’ enrollment will increase by 142 students by the 2011-2012 academic year.

Bird said it is likely that the board of trustees will determine how to address the need for more classrooms at Nichols — whether by expanding the school or utilizing portable facilities — by the April board meeting. JISD officials, including Bird, have previously stated that using portables would be an unattractive option.

Jones said the school is currently suited to absorb next fall’s projected 42-student enrollment increase.

In addition to Tarrant’s presentation at the special meeting, JISD officials also:

• heard a presentation from Pat McCown regarding the evaluation process for assistant superintendents, directors and principals;

• conducted an evaluation of Superintendent Stuart Bird;

• considered legal matters and student discipline; and

• discussed the hiring, termination/retirement or transfer of professional personnel.

The next regular meeting of the JISD Board of Trustees will take place at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 22 in the JISD Administration Building. The meeting was pushed back one day because Jan. 21 is a school holiday.