Navarro Independent School District

GERONIMO, TX — December 17, 2025 —  Following four months of intensive analysis and collaboration, the 2025-26 Long Range Facilities Master Planning Committee delivered its recommendation to the Navarro ISD Board of Trustees at the December meeting. Committee members Amy Strauch and Kristen Green presented the executive summary, outlining a strategic $64.9 million single-proposition bond proposed for the May 2026 election.

The recommendation is the result of a "100% consensus" among the committee members, which included parents, alumni, staff, and community members. Their primary focus? Preparing the district for a student population expected to surge over the next decade.

The most critical component of the proposal is a $57.5 million expansion and renovation of the Junior High School (formerly Navarro High School which will open as the new Junior High in August 2026). Demographic reports from November indicate that the campus is expected to exceed 1,000 students within just three years and reach over 1,400 students within the decade.

To manage this growth, the committee proposed a two-phase project:

• Phase I (Completion Summer 2029): Construction of a new academic wing with 16 classrooms and a new cafeteria/auditorium to allow all students to eat in one secure space.
• Phase II (Completion Spring 2030): Converting the current high school cafeteria and kitchen into flexible, functional classroom spaces.

As the new Navarro High School opens this January, a "domino effect" of campus transitions will follow through August 2027. The committee's plan ensures existing facilities are reinvested to meet growth:

• Navarro Early Childhood Center: The current Elementary and Annex buildings will undergo $5.4 million in vital roof and HVAC replacement to serve our Pre-K through 1st-grade students.
• Junior High Secondary Gym: The former "Event Center" will be renovated with expanded locker rooms and modernized finishes to accommodate growing athletic programs.
• District Support: The proposal includes $1.9 million for transportation, expanding the bus and maintenance parking area to accommodate up to 50 buses and fleet.

The committee faced the difficult task of narrowing down a massive list of needs to fit within the district’s bond threshold. To remain fiscally responsible, members participated in "blind" prioritization exercises, eventually choosing to eliminate items like weight room refurbishing and certain scoreboard improvements to keep the focus on student learning environments.

"These projects are essential to preparing and maintaining district facilities to enhance high-quality learning opportunities for years to come," stated Kristen Green during the presentation. "This proposal keeps pace with and supports the future educational goals of the Navarro ISD community."

The Board of Trustees is expected to take final action on the committee's recommendation during the January board meeting. For more details, including the district map and demographic reports, residents can visit the "Bond at Work" webpage on the district website.