If the vinyl banners hanging outside Hudson PEP Elementary School aren't evidence enough, the framed awards crowding the main foyer walls erase any doubt of the campus' rich academic history.
Although Hudson traditionally has held city bragging rights for what goes on within its brick walls - 12 consecutive state exemplary ratings, along with others - a facilities specialist says some of the bricks are crumbling, and mortar is showing signs of water intrusion.
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 Jacob Croft Botter/News-Journal Photo | Melinda Hohlt instructs students in a class at Hudson PEP Elementary School. The campus has about 400 students and hopes to add more if the district's bond passes.
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Hudson PEP is among nine elementary schools in Longview Independent School District that would be demolished and rebuilt under a May 10 bond construction proposal.
While several schools would be consolidated in larger buildings, Hudson would remain its own campus - made larger to accommodate more students in the future, said Principal Sue Wilson.
About Hudson PEP
Hudson PEP is unique in that it is the only campus in the district where enrollment is determined through testing.
About 150 students take achievement and ability tests for first grade every year, said Janet Adams, counselor. Only 88 students are accepted.
Another 10 to 15 students test for two to three available slots in the higher grade levels.
"We just don't teach the basics," Adams said. "We go beyond that in all levels and all subject matters. During the process, students are creating, evaluating and applying the skills at higher levels. We're more intense on everything."
District officials and members of a volunteer bond steering committee have emphasized that students at other schools would benefit academically from new and expanded buildings. Wilson said the same holds true for her students.
"We have room for all students to sit at a desk, but no room to work in groups like we would like to," Wilson said. "All of our students are passing the (TAKS) test, but we don't want to just pass. We want everyone to be commended."
Superintendent James E. Wilcox added that a new facility would allow Hudson PEP to push the envelope.
"Even though there are good things going on at Hudson, we're not satisfied," Wilcox said. "With new facilities, updated technology and larger classrooms, we feel that Hudson can attain higher goals."
School problems
In a 2007 evaluation of the Hudson campus by the Texas Association of School Administrators, facilities specialist Paul Trautman outlined several safety and security concerns.
In addition to serious congestion on Lilly Street, where the majority of students are picked up and dropped off, Trautman said it is difficult to separate buses and cars because of limited driveway access.
Open wooded land adjacent to the school frequently brings unauthorized and unwelcome visitors, Trautman added.
"We have five different buildings," Wilson said. "When students go from one building to another - on a special assignment by themselves - being out there when the campus is not secure is not safe."
Fences are in place between some buildings and open walkways, but Trautman said such security measures are impractical, considering the number of buildings. The proposed new facility would consist of a single building with inside corridors.
The buildings themselves also are showing signs of stress, with chipping face brick and efflorescence - the growth of salt crystals caused by evaporation - in the mortar.
Trautman included several other Hudson deficiencies in his report:
- Limited handicapped accessibility
- Deteriorated driveways and parking lots
- Of the 20 classrooms, 17 are smaller than state standards
- Inadequate electrical service
- Soil shifting at and under buildings
Additionally, Trautman pointed out evidence of roof leaks, which students and teachers experienced first-hand during the last few weeks.
"After the rain we had the weekend before last, we came back to school and the rooms were flooded, carpets were saturated and mold was growing," Wilson said. "The stench has been unbearable."
Based on his list of deficiencies, Trautman has recommended a complete renovation or replacement of the campus. School board president Sam Satterwhite has said about other schools in similar shape that attempts to completely update them would be pouring good money after bad.
District officials have not confirmed where a new Hudson PEP would be constructed, but said it would likely be relocated near its Lilly Street location or rebuilt on the same grounds.
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About Hudson PEP
Built: 1958; Library was added in 1987
Classrooms: 26
Classroom square feet: Less than 600 square feet, on average
Campus land acres: 20
Enrollment: 396
Source: Longview ISD
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New Hudson PEP under consideration
Classroom square feet: Between 750 and 900
Occupancy: 684 students with maximum of 760 students
Campus land acres: At least 15
Estimated cost: Between $19.2 million and $20.7 million
Source: Huckabee Architectural Firm; Longview ISD
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About the series
The Longview News-Journal's Longview ISD series looks at schools that could be affected by a proposed bond package.
April 6: Foster Middle School
Today: Hudson PEP Elementary School
April 20: Longview High School
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What voters will consider May 10
Five new elementary schools: $99.7 million
Additions at South Ward Elementary and Doris McQueen Primary schools: $21.3 million
Three new middle schools: $107.1 million
Additions at Longview High School: $34.7 million
Districtwide technology: $4 million
Total proposal: $266.9 million
Source: Longview ISD
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Existing debt
- The district's total $1.13 tax rate includes 9.8 cents per $100 in taxable property value to pay off existing debt. The district made a $2,947,481 payment in February and expects to make a $260,723 payment in August that would take the existing debt to just less than $12 million.
- The existing debt is in two bonds: The district sold bonds in 2003 and 2004 to restructure previous debt for a lower overall cost.
- Officials expect to pay off the existing debt by 2017.
- It's not clear what the district will do when that debt is paid. Options include reducing the tax rate by 9.8 cents or maintaining the rate and paying off any additional debt faster, which could reduce the overall cost of any additional debt.
Source: Longview ISD
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Upcoming bond resident meetings
- Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.: Pinewood Park Elementary School Cafeteria; 209 West Glenn St.
- April 22, 6:30 p.m.: Mozelle Johnston Elementary School Cafeteria; 1281 FM 1844
- April 24, 6:30 p.m.: Forest Park Magnet School Library; 1515 Lake Drive
