Mineola School trustees got some good news Monday on the impending construction of a new primary campus off NE Loop 564.

But that was offset by news that construction costs are continuing to rise.

Business Manager William Bjork said the school’s construction account had earned more than $100,000 in interest since the bonds were sold in early August, and hopefully that can offset some of the increases.

Architect Perry Thompson said the soil tests of the site, on the northwest part of the property just west of the city water tower, had come back with “some of the best” soil, and the foundation would not require deep piers, a cost savings.

Another costs savings will be the ability to site the school at a location where the sewer can gravity feed to a city line on Shady Lane, meaning there will be no need for a sewer lift station – another expense.

The architect and engineers are nearing finalizing the traffic pattern for the school, which will have entrances and exits off Loop 564.

A plan to use Shady Lane to access the property off N. Pacific St. was scrapped due to the expense of extending the road, near Autumn Wind Assisted Living.

Thompson said the final traffic study will be submitted to the Texas Dept. of Transportation soon to apply for driveway permits.

The most problematic intersection will be for vehicles trying to turn left (west) onto the loop from the west side of the property, with predicted delays of two minutes at peak times.

The district will also be seeking a center turn lane in front of the property.

Center turn lanes are present on the loop at State Hwy. 37 (N. Pacific) and at E. McDonald (FM 49).

Asked about a traffic light at the school entrance, Thompson said that will be up to TxDOT.

He said the construction manager, Jackson Construction, has been working to finalize bids for the campus and hopes to have them ready next month.

He noted that a full size track and field will fit on the site as a future addition.

Trustees spent much of the meeting discussing the dual tracks for welding and agricultural mechanics, which will be operated in tandem next year to comply with new state regulations that require a program of study for high school students to receive college, career and military readiness certification under the state accountability program.

The district is also looking into a similar program for floral design and plant science.