Student Perspectives

La Grange ISD is proposing a $90 million dollar bond to build and renovate facilities across the district. The vote is set for May 2. If passed, some of the money will pay for a multipurpose facility for electives and extracurriculars. Two groups set to benefit from the facility are the Mighty Leopard Band and the Leopardette drill team.

The facility is expected to have a marked field where the band, cheer and the drill team can practice, as well as cosmetology classrooms, agriculture classrooms and many more features.

“I believe this extension of the school will benefit performing arts programs, providing a larger space for the Drill team to rehearse, a sheltered field for marching band to practice on, and a building for cosmetology students that is located on campus,” sophomore and color guard member Audrey Green said.

With the new space, programs are hoping for an increase in student achievement during rehearsals.

“It’s going to help all students (in band), especially the freshmen, be able to concentrate on learning fundamentals while being away from the heat,” sophomore and drumline captain Nora Hunt said.

In addition, students are expecting more involvement among team members.

“I think (the facility) will cause a shift in commitment and excuses of not going (to rehearsals) since it will be near the campus,” sophomore and Leopardette Kamryn Johnson said.

With the extra space, programs now have more freedom for scheduled rehearsals.

“We will have the opportunity to use it for more practice time,” freshman and Leopardette Sarita Kinsey said. “We might not have to have practices super early (in the morning).”

However, some students are worried about losing endurance.

“I think that if we are to use the building excessively, it might affect our heat tolerance when we have to go to competitions or early football games,” Hunt said. “Being less acclimatized to the heat can really affect the bands willingness to perform at their full potential if they feel it’s too hot to focus.”

Other students are concerned about conflicting practice times.

“Too many people will try and get access for practices and it will cause a mess of who gets the building and when,” Johnson said.

Additionally, many other students believe the school could improve in other ways.

“I think it might be a bit excessive and I think there are certain things the school can fix that should have more priority,” Kinsey said. “I think that the school and community could benefit from other small scale improvements such as more moderate facility renovations and more intentional investment rather than a major project like what is proposed in the