Celina School Board Reviews Construction Priorities and Funding Options

CELINA — Celina City Schools officials reviewed construction priorities, available funding and the future of several existing buildings during an August 4 meeting.

The district’s new building for students in grades seven through 12 remains ahead of schedule and on budget. Substantial completion is expected in December, with students and staff scheduled to move into the building in January 2027.

Demolition of the existing high school is expected to begin in February. Site work is targeted for the fall of 2027, while the district hopes to determine the final future of the Education Complex by January 2028.

Officials estimated the district has approximately $20.8 million in combined project needs. Those projects include work at the Tri Star building, middle school renovations, a new track, site and practice-field improvements, football turf, visitor restrooms and concessions, soccer and tennis upgrades and a bus and maintenance garage.

The district currently expects to have approximately $9.8 million available for the first phase by this fall, depending on grants and the return of locally funded initiative money.

Officials cautioned that interest earnings should not be committed until the district receives the results of an arbitrage calculation. A potential payment of $1 million or more could reduce the amount of available interest revenue.

The first phase is expected to prioritize securing and maintaining the retained portion of the Tri Star building, renovations at the middle school and work involving the track, athletic fields and surrounding site.

Approximately $2 million could be directed toward making the Tri Star building minimally functional. The work could include utilities, heating and improvements that would allow wrestling and other athletic programs to use the facility.

Middle school renovations would focus heavily on heating, cooling and building controls. The district’s share of that work is estimated at approximately $1.9 million, while Head Start is expected to receive a separate system through federal funding.

A new track remains a board priority. Officials are also reviewing ways to reduce costs by delaying or scaling back features such as a plaza and permanent ticket booths.

Donor commitments are expected to cover the cost of installing artificial turf on the football field. However, officials want the turf project coordinated with the availability of restrooms, concessions and other stadium improvements.

The board also continued discussing the future of the Education Complex and Field House. Demolition and asbestos removal would cost the district approximately $459,000, while securing the building for continued use could cost approximately $1.7 million.

The district may retain the property temporarily while athletic projects and middle school renovations are completed. A possible sale within the next two to three years is also being considered.

An appraisal is expected to be presented at the board’s August 24 meeting. The district could then begin the process of offering the property at auction, although the board would not be required to accept any bid.

Board members also discussed a possible residential tax-abatement program with the City of Celina. The proposal could provide a 10-year, 100-percent property-tax abatement for qualifying newly constructed homes of no more than approximately 2,500 square feet.

No formal action was taken on the proposed abatement. Board members expressed general support for a program designed to encourage starter homes and housing for older residents, while city officials would retain authority over the final proposal.