At Thursday's meeting of the school board and advisory committee, Trustee William Nantz suggested trimming the list to a package of projects that reasonably could be completed in five years.
"We lose all credibility if we can't get it done at budget or under budget and in the time we say we're going to do it," Nantz said.
Carl Rabenaldt of 3DI, the Houston consulting company hired by the district, said $450 million seemed a realistic amount for a five-year construction timeline. If the district tries to do too much in too short a time period, there might not be enough contractors, he explained.
Committee member Gene Bush suggested changing the timeline and working toward a November bond election to allow more time to recommend the right proposal and sell it to voters.
"I don't think we've got but one shot. We better make sure we've got it right," Bush said.
Other committee members pushed to keep working for a May vote. Committee Co-Chair Paul Brown and others said the cost would go up the longer the district waits.
Trustees would have to call an election by March 12 to make the May 12 ballot.
The committee plans to meet again Feb. 17 and if necessary on Feb. 24 to try to finalize a recommendation for the school board.
As of Thursday, the unfinished project list included new construction of a fourth high school and a district-wide complex with a stadium and natatorium.
Under the plan, South Park Middle School would be closed as a school, but not demolished as earlier suggested.
On the elementary level, the committee recommends nine new school buildings. One would be a new school, three would be new buildings for existing campuses and five would combine 10 existing campuses.
The developing plan also includes renovations and expansions at other campuses around the district.
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