CCISD holds bond walk & talk meetings

By LYNETTE SOWELL

Cove Leader-Press

The gymnasium at Fairview-Jewell Elementary served as the setting for the first of three Community Walk & Talk gatherings held by the Copperas Cove Independent School District to provide information on three propositions that will be on the Nov. 4 ballot for CCISD voters.

The room was lined with district staff as well as information tables with flyers for pickup and videos that show the present conditions at the campuses as well as the proposed improvements.

More importantly, the staff could answer questions directly about the proposed projects.

Melissa Bryan is CCISD’s Director of Nutrition talked about the current cafeteria at Copperas Cove High School, the expansion of which is included in Proposition A.

“The current cafeteria seats a little over 600 students,’ Bryan said, noting that the enrollment at the high school is just over 2,000 students. “The proposed changes to the cafeteria would expand that to more than 900 students. There would also be more serving lines added. Also, with the renovations to other spaces on campus, this would improve the flow of students. If you have only 30 minutes to eat, a lot of that time is spent as you head to the cafeteria and wait in line.”

In addition to the expansion at CCHS, the cafeteria at Fairview-Jewell would be relocated more centrally on that campus, and renovations to include addition of rest rooms are part of the proposed changes to Copperas Cove Junior High School.

Fairview-Jewell is one of three campuses that will receive upgrades and renovations, should Proposition A pass with the voters. Proposition A is the largest on the ballot, to the tune of $142.2 million, with $21.9 million to be spend on Fairview-Jewell renovations and $13.2 million at CCJHS.

Tuesday night’s event was a come-and-go event. Along with the information tables, one section of the gymnasium held an area where attendees could gather if they wished to go on a tour of the campus and see firsthand the areas that would be affected by the projects proposed in the bond election.

The district is holding. Two more walk and talk events. The second is set for Monday,, Sept. 29, at 6 p.m. at Copperas Cove High School Gym 2, and the third is set for Monday, Oct. 6, at 6 p.m. at Copperas Cove Junior High cafeteria.

The last day to register to vote is Monday, Oct. 6. Early voting takes place Oct. 20–31, and the last day to apply for a ballot by mail is Friday, Oct. 24.