At more than 80 years old, Foster Middle School drives up the district's average campus age - 48 years - more than any other facility.
Unlike other district campuses facing proposed changes, however, the historical significance of Longview's oldest school would save it from the wrecking ball if a pending $266.9 million bond package passes.
|
 Michael Cavazos/News-Journal Photo | Foster Middle School's main building has one boys' and one girls' restroom, and persistent plumbing problems often shut them down.
|
|
|
Foster's deficiencies
Foster Middle School sits on about 6½ acres on the corner of College and Green streets. The campus was built in 1928 as a high school, but became a junior high when a new high school was built on Whaley Street in 1932.
School officials use words such as grand and beautiful to describe the facility's original hardwood floors and ornate appointments.
They also say the campus is no longer sufficient to educate children.
"They built this school to last," Principal Sedric Clark said during a tour of the facility. "This is a beautiful old building, but there are plenty of educational disadvantages that go with attending school here."
During a 2007 district wide facilities study by the Texas Association of School Administrators, specialist Paul Trautman listed several deficiencies at Foster Middle School:
- Undersized classrooms and labs
- Outdated electrical service
- Plumbing problems
- Insufficient number of restrooms
- Inadequate heating and cooling systems
While some issues at Foster could be addressed, the campus location and building layout prevent solutions, Trautman said.
Classrooms in the original building, as an example, are about 20 feet wide from hallway to outside wall.
"The nature of the design effectively precludes creating larger classrooms - classrooms that might be suitable for long term use for regular instructional programs," he said.
Trautman also notes Foster's activities and athletic field borders active streets (Avondale and Green streets), and other parts of the site are across the street from a major railroad track, making it an unsafe location for a school.
Foster's possible future
Approval of the bond would result in a new Foster campus at a different location. The school would open its doors by the 2010-11 school year, according to district plans.
Though district officials have not decided what to do with the existing campus, they've said it would remain standing.
"We intend to keep (Foster) in the school real estate pool and use it for something else," said Sam Satterwhite, school board president. "We would eventually like to restore it to its former glory. That's a wonderful old building."
* * *
About the series
The Longview News-Journal's Longview ISD series looks at schools that could be affected by a proposed bond package.
March 30: Judson Middle School
Today: Foster Middle School
April 13: Hudson PEP Elementary School
* * *
What voters will consider May 10
Five new elementary schools: $99.7 million
Additions at South Ward and Doris McQueen: $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
* * *
Foster Middle School proposal
About 48 classrooms averaging between 750 and 900 square feet; 750-student maximum occupancy
Fine arts area
Separate boys and girls gymnasiums
Library
Cafeteria
2 administration wings
Estimated cost: $37,467,599
Though Foster would have an identical layout to a new Forest Park Magnet School, district officials said it would be more expensive than Forest Park's project because construction would begin a year later. A replacement of Forest Park is estimated at $34,016,867. Both campuses would be built in new undisclosed areas, the district says.
Source: Huckabee Architectural Firm; Longview ISD
* * *
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. Two options include reducing the tax rate by 9.8 cents or maintaining the rate and paying off any additional debt more quickly, which could reduce the overall cost of any additional debt.
Source: Longview ISD
* * *
Upcoming bond resident meetings
April 15, 6:30 p.m.: Pinewood Park Elementary School cafeteria; 209 West Glenn Street
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
The bond election
Early voting runs April 28 through May 6.
Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through May 2; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 3; and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on May 5 and 6.
Election day is May 10 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
District officials and volunteers on a bond steering committee have scheduled several community meetings."The meetings provide an opportunity for people to come out and see what the plans are," said district spokesman Brian Bowman. "We are also there to answer any questions."
* * *
Foster timeline
1885: Frame building for Longview Male and Female Institute built at Foster's location. It was funded partly by tuition.
1927: LISD purchases property at Foster's location.
1929: Construction of Longview Senior High School at that location is completed at a cost of $130,000.
1932: The building is converted to a junior high after a new high school is built on East Whaley Street.
1957: Longview Junior High is renamed Henry L. Foster Junior High School after Forest Park is built in the northern part of the district. Foster was a former LISD superintendent.
1976: Ninth grade is relocated to the new Longview High School on Tomlinson Parkway, and Foster changes its name to Henry L. Foster Middle School.
1987: Nicholson Public Library, which had been housed at Foster, moves to Cotton Street and becomes the Longview Public Library.
Source: Foster Middle School
