Breckenridge Texan

UPDATE: This article was updated on March 26, 2026, to include a letter to the community by Superintendent Prairie Freeman posted on the BISD Facebook page on March 25, 2026, about Tuesday’s meeting and the new school site.

By Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan

In a special meeting this evening, Tuesday, March 24, the Breckenridge Independent School District Board of Trustees voted to authorize Superintendent Prairie Freeman to negotiate with the Breckenridge Economic Development Corporation for the purchase of land north of Walmart for the new elementary school being planned by the district. Also at the meeting, the Board of Trustees approved the issuance of bonds that were approved by local voters in November 2025.

At the meeting, Michael Paris, CEO and executive director of the BEDC, presented a letter from BEDC Vice President Jacob Cornwall proposing the sale.

“On behalf of the Breckenridge Economic Development Corporation (BEDC), I would like to invite Breckenridge ISD to consider participating in a Purchase and Sale Agreement with the BEDC in support of the recently approved $39 million bond for the construction of a new elementary school,” Cornwall said in the letter. “We believe the school would be a strong complement to the planned multifamily, single-family, and retail components of the Project Sage Brush development.”

The letter specifies that the BEDC is offering to sell 14 acres of the Sage Brush property to BISD for $189,000. Proceeds from the land sale would be applied toward BISD’s share of lift station (sewage pumping station) costs for the property. BISD would need to contribute an additional $300,816 to meet its total proportional share of $489,816.

According to the letter, the BEDC would fund the remaining lift station cost of $795,792. Any unused contingency funds would be reimbursed or credited back to BISD.

The property under discussion is part of the 33.08 acres located immediately north of the Breckenridge Walmart that was recently purchased by the BEDC and annexed into the city limits by the Breckenridge City Commission at their March 3 meeting. At that time, the City’s meeting agenda stated, “The BEDC has a plan to develop this land that includes but is not limited to the following uses: Single Family, Townhomes, Retail.”

In tonight’s meeting, BISD Board member Ty Bartoskewitz abstained from voting on the agenda item; he serves as the BEDC president.

When the bond was presented to the public for approval last year, the location of the proposed new school was described as being next to the current South Elementary site. In a video on the Breckenridge ISD Bond 2025 website, Freeman said, “After thoughtful consideration and discussion, the facility planning committee recommended two options to the board of trustees. The board of trustees has decided to approve one of the options and has taken action to move forward with the construction of a new pre-k through fifth grade elementary school at the current South Elementary.”

The bond was approved with 886 votes in favor and 638 votes against. Several local citizens brought up concerns about the South Elementary location for the new school, including wells and oil and gas operations in the area. According to the BISD Bond website’s Frequently Asked Questions page, “The facility committee considered multiple locations for the proposed new elementary school. These locations included all available district-owned properties and other properties available for sale or potential sale. The proposed location (South Elementary) ranked higher than other potential sites for the placement of the new elementary school due to factors including cost of site acquisition, infrastructure issues, drainage issues and student circulation/safety challenges. The committee recommended to the Board of Trustees the proposed approximate project location as the best location (all factors considered) for the proposed new elementary school.”

At tonight’s meeting, all discussion about the location of the proposed school, aside from Paris’ presentation, was held in a closed-door, executive session. Once the board returned from executive session, they voted to “authorize the superintendent to proceed, as discussed, in closed session concerning the purchase exchange, lease or value of real property.”

BISD Board of Trustees President Nic McClymond confirmed that the discussion referred to the property and proposed sale presented by Paris.

Letter from the Superintendent

On Wednesday evening, March 25, Freeman posted the following letter on the BISD Facebook page to the Breckenridge ISD parents and community, offering more information about the decision to consider locating the planned elementary school at a site other than the current South Elementary:

Dear Breckenridge ISD Parents and Community,

I am writing to share an important update regarding the planning of our new elementary school made possible by the voter-approved November 2025 bond.

At a special meeting yesterday evening, the Breckenridge ISD Board of Trustees authorized me to enter into negotiations with the Breckenridge Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) for the potential purchase of property located north of Walmart as the possible site for our future elementary campus.

We recognize that this differs from earlier discussions about the location of the new school. However, during our community meetings and town halls last fall, we heard a lot of concerns regarding the proposed site at South Elementary. While balancing what is best for BISD students and staff, community concerns, as well as overall cost, the Board has been and will continue to be diligent in identifying the best possible location for a Pre-K through 5th grade facility that will serve our students for generations to come. They remain committed to making thoughtful, informed decisions that prioritize our students’ safety, educational quality, and the long-term needs of our district.

We understand that questions and concerns may arise. Please know that we are committed to working with our parents, community members, and other stakeholders to move our district forward and ensure we are providing the best opportunities and learning environments for all students.

This is an exciting time for our district and community, and we appreciate your continued support and partnership as we take these next steps for our students.

Sincerely,
Prairie Freeman

Also following the executive session, Jake Lawrence, senior vice president with Government Capital Securities Corporation, talked to the school board members about the BISD bond sale that took place earlier today. After his presentation, the school board officially approved the issuance of “Breckenridge Independent School District Unlimited Tax School Building Bonds, Series 2026.”

Jake Lawrence with Government Capital Securities Corporation talks to the school board members about the BISD bond sale that took place earlier Tuesday, March 24. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Cutline, top photo: Michael Paris, CEO and executive director of the BEDC, presents a letter from BEDC Vice President Jacob Cornwall proposing the sale of 14 acres to the Breckenridge Independent School District for the location of a new elementary school. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)