There’s an indoor practice facility being built at the High School, and the Eagle Band just landed a snazzy new semi truck. However, these things cost money, and that money has to come from somewhere. That’s what bonds are for.

Bonds are essentially loans that the school district receives from the local community, but citizens must vote for the bond to pass in order for the district to receive the money. The Decatur ISD school board proposed a bond with a price tag of $13, 488, 500. While this may seem like a lot of money to come out of a small town like Decatur, the money comes in small amounts from many people over a long period of time. The bond was voted on by Decatur residents and passed on May 9th.

The Indoor Multi-Purpose Center is one of the larger projects included in the bond. It is expected to cost $3.5 million, and will have approximately 40,000 square feet of usable space. It will contain a large turf field, several locker rooms, and weight rooms. Principal Jeff Russell hopes that the new facility will prevent weather from interfering with team practices that normally take place outside.

“I remember last year when the track team would run laps around the second floor of the school if there was inclement weather,” Russell said. “This new facility will give them a more suitable place to practice, protected from the elements.”

The goal is for the facility to be completed and ready for use by August of 2016, in plenty of time for next year’s football team to make use of it.

The bond also includes several other projects, some of which have already begun. The band section added on to the stands at Eagle Stadium was one of several renovations. The track at the high school has been resurfaced, and the track at the middle school is scheduled to be redone as well. There will also be new bathroom facilities installed at the baseball and softball fields.

The band received funding from the bond to purchase a semi-truck and trailer. It will be used for transporting equipment to games and competitions, replacing the three trailers they currently use.

The bond also includes security upgrades, including electronic door locks and additional security cameras at exterior doors. This will allow students and visitors to be “buzzed in” by the front office, and exterior doors such as those leading to the Ag building can be remotely unlocked during passing periods.

“This will improve overall campus security without causing inconvenience to students,” Russell said.

Overall, the bond will provide many needed improvements across Decatur ISD. While these changes may not happen right away, they will benefit Decatur students and faculty for years to come.