NISD approves business audit

The Navasota Independent School District board of trustees unanimously approved the annual internal business audit at a regular board meeting Dec. 16. 

School districts prepare their annual financial statements and have them audited by a licensed independent CPA firm. The approved audit is to be submitted by Jan. 28. 

Board members unanimously approved to use the same CPA firm to conduct the audit again next year.

Phase 2 Update

Progress is underway as construction continues in Phase 2 of the bond project. 

Navasota High School and Navasota Junior High both have their new roofs installed. The high school still has some trim work needed around the roof, but the actual roofing is complete. 

Portable buildings that were located behind the high school have been moved and relocated. Some of the portable buildings were moved to High Point Elementary and received a makeover. They will be used to fill temporary needs. 

Another portable building was moved across from Brosig Auditorium. That building will also be renovated and put in use. Navasota Superintendent Dr. Stu Musick said they were informed the portable buildings are structurally sound and in good condition overall. Musick did say the building across from the auditorium will receive a makeover like the ones at High Point so it is aesthetically pleasing as well. 

The slab for the new Career and Technology Education (CTE) building has been poured behind the high school. Several classes will occupy the new building including the cosmetology program which will feature a salon that will be open to the public.

The secure entry and new doors have been installed at Navasota Junior High. The parking lot in front of the school by the circle drive has also been completed.

On the side of the school facing Highway 90, the science wing is under construction. The slab has been poured and the walls are being erected. Once the wing is complete it will house the science classrooms. The existing classrooms will be renovated and utilized by other classes.

Also complete at the junior high is the HVAC system with new boilers and chillers. Bond progress can be found on the NISD website under Moving Forward. 

Ongoing construction is taking place behind the junior high cafeteria. The cafeteria will receive an expansion and new construction will also provide classrooms for the KickStart Kids program and Navasota Junior High Choir. 

Athletic facilities update

The process of upgrading athletic facilities is underway stemming from a $4,390,000 Maintenance Tax Note that was approved Monday, Aug. 25. 

Since the approval, plans are starting to surface, and projects are going out for bid. Among those bids are updates to gymnasiums at the high school and junior high.

The main gym (Rattler Gym) at the high school will have its existing wood floor removed and a new wood floor installed. Initial renderings of the project show unique color schemes that feature snakeskin print within the three-point arc. 

Initial plans will also allow an option for volleyball to use the court sideways so two volleyball games can be played simultaneously if Navasota chooses to host volleyball tournaments.

The auxiliary gym (The Pit) will also receive a new wood floor. Bleachers will be renovated as well to make them ADA compliant. 

Additionally, a wood floor will be installed over the existing floor in the eighth-grade competition gym at the junior high. In the seventh-grade gym the current floor will be resurfaced. There are also bleacher renovations slated throughout the gym projects.

Renovations to the gyms are expected to be under the allotted budget.

NISD is currently gathering bids for the new video scoreboard at Rattler Stadium. The plan is to potentially purchase the new video scoreboard, and have it installed before graduation. Approval of the scoreboard was on the current agenda but was tabled until a third bid is complete.

Other athletic upgrades will include a new eight-court tennis facility with lighting and bleachers which will be located where the football practice field is currently behind the junior high. A smaller practice field will be constructed behind the softball field.

Rattler Stadium will also have new turf and a new track. Both the baseball and softball fields will receive turf as well as seating upgrades. The repairs to the elevator at Rattler Stadium is also included in the athletic facility upgrades.

The next scheduled NISD Board meeting is Jan. 20, at 6:30 p.m.