NEDERLAND — The Citizens Advisory Committee’s six-month study of Nederland Independent School District campuses ended this week. Next, five members selected by the committee will present recommendations for bonds to the school board Tuesday.

The committee selected Lori Bell, Jimmy Harrison, Lance Howell, Jathen Garrett and Ron Nichols to present the recommendation to the board.

The final meeting took place at Central Middle School, where committee members toured the facility before receiving the results of the system’s survey, in which over 1,000 Nederland residents participated.

“The committee has been vital to the research phase of this,” Superintendent Robin Perez said.

Each member was given a 32-page packet that detailed the surveys findings. Eight options were presented to survey takers. Of the eight options, two of them showed indications of risk due to weakness.

The projects and prices listed on the survey are as follows

1. New high school ($82.7 million) or four new elementary schools ($93.2 million)

2. Elementary school upgrades ($49.1 million) or High school upgrades/CTE ($38.6 million)

3. Middle school upgrades ($11.1 million)

4. Technology initiative ($4.8 million)

5. Safety and security ($3.4 million)

6. Stadium upgrades ($4.5 million)

7. Athletic program ($16.9 million)

A new high school and athletic program showed the greatest indications of risk. Survey takers showed the most support for safety and security. If the members elect to follow the data and eliminate the new high school and athletic program from the bond, the members’ proposal could cost as much as $155.6 million in bond issues.

If the members elect to leave the middle schools and high school as is, it could drop the cost to $105.9 million, which would put the total below the $120 million of the 2009 bond (four new schools and renovations to the high school) that failed.

In the district’s most recent attempt to pass a bond that would build new schools, voters opted instead for a pair of bonds that upgraded the schools and voted against two bonds for new schools in 2012.

In September, led by NISD-hired consultant Robert Nicks, the committee began to meet monthly. Nicks worked with districts and committee to pass bonds and is currently working with Bridge City ISD on a similar mission. Nicks said the CAC process has gone as expected so far.

The committee toured all of the district’s facilities led by the schools’ respective principals. The tours featured storage rooms and bathrooms turned into offices and some rooms not accessible by wheelchair. Many of the facilities had antiquated floor plans and portable buildings to accommodate an growing school population.

“The only thing that has surprised me is the enthusiasm,” Nicks said. “We had over 1,000 registered voters take the survey. Overall, they are very supportive of the projects and, obviously, very supportive of the school district. I don’t think I’ve ever been associated with a school district this size that had over 1,000 responses.”

Committee members hope the fact NISD has one of the lowest tax rates in the area encourages residents to vote in favor of spending for at least one new facility. According to survey data, potential voters were more likely to vote favorably for new facilities after finding out the districts tax-rate standing.

Before going into more in-depth talks about potential proposals, one of the appointed leaders asked committee members to raise their hands if they wanted a new facility. Nearly everyone raised a hand.

After the five members present the recommendation to the board, the board will decide how to structure the recommendations. If the board decides to move forward, they will call a bond issue.

If a bond issue is called, Nicks said a Specific Purpose Committee, many of whom are on the CAC, will begin advocating in favor of the bond.

“They will contact people, urging them to vote,” Nicks said. “They will procure yard signs and do general things that school districts can’t do. School districts can provide information. As a district, they are not supposed to advocate for it. Individual board members can, however, advocate and probably will.”

Many school board members have spoken about the need for more facilities. They include Board President Suzanne Isom and Secretary Nicholas Phillips. Both cited the district’s growing number of students.

In July of last year, the board received a Templeton Demographics study projecting the district to grow by 586 students over the next five years and 1,177 students over the next decade. A more recent study by the same group showed a less aggressive projection of 738 children over the next 10 years.

The deadline to call for a bond issue is Friday. The next school board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, with an additional meeting scheduled for Wednesday if necessary.