On November 7th, Lake Travis ISD voters will determine whether or not a 143 million dollar bond package will be awarded to the district to put toward its schools. The majority of the funds will be used to improve athletic facilities at the district’s upcoming second high school, as well as make improvements to existing schools throughout the district. With the new high school’s ongoing development and growth, voting for or against funds for its athletics facilities is a highly debated issue in the Lake Travis community.
LTHS currently has around 3,800 students, with over half participating in a sport or a performing arts program. “Growth is going to continue to come to Lake Travis [ISD],” said LTISD superintendent Paul Norton during a public informational meeting on the bond election. “In the next ten years, we’ll add about 3,500 students, and that’s on a low projection model. We’re at max capacity and overcapacity here at Lake Travis High School for the sports and activities we have here.”
Without the passage of the bond to build new athletic facilities, student-athletes and performers at the second high school will have to use the stadiums and fields at Lake Travis High School. “The only baseball and softball fields in Lake Travis ISD are at the high school. So the kids at high school number two will have to come to Lake Travis High School to practice,” said Norton. “It’s wear and tear on the facilities. It’s wear and tear on the grass.”
Both high schools having to share facilities will be time-consuming for both high schools. “If we don’t get athletic facilities over there, we’re still going to offer every single sport that we do here and fine arts program,” said Hank Carter, the athletic director and head football coach at LTHS. Scheduling events for both schools would present a problem as well. “That’s going to push out the clubs; that’s going to push out the LTYA state soccer, rugby, and lacrosse. They will get what’s left.”
Without the necessary facilities to practice and perform each activity, LT students will be forced to share their time and space with the students of the second high school for years to come, resulting in issues with overcrowding and extra expenses for the district. The community is encouraged to vote on November 7th.
