A new agriculture facility is included in the plans of a $19.465 million bond proposal Purcell School District voters will decide on August 27.

Money for a new ag barn to replace the current dilapidated building to the tune of $515,000  is included in the projects.

The existing barn was built in the late 60s and has numerous problems.

It served as the school’s facility for students to house cattle, sheep and goats and is currently not in use due to safety.

“The age of the building is beginning to reveal numerous safety concerns with exposed wiring and holes in the roof, causing students’ supplies to get ruined during rainy seasons,” said Purcell agriculture education teacher Erica Keen.

The new barn will include animal stalls and wash bays.

Purcell’s ag program will serve about 70 students this school year.

It is open to students in grades 8-12.

The program serves an additional 15 students involved in 4-H who show livestock and participate in livestock judging.

Keen expects the numbers of students in her program to rise in the future and wants to provide them with the necessary facilities.

“In the past three years I have seen over a 5% increase in students participating in showing livestock,” Keen said. “And I am expecting to be almost double the students showing from over 3 years ago to this year.

“There are students seeking involvement in other species, but we need to be able to provide them a safe environment to house their projects.”

Keen said her program has enjoyed support from the community through the years.

“Our community has always been a huge supporter of student growth and development and providing facilities to give students the best they can,” she said. “I know if the community knew how far behind our facilities are for the FFA and 4-H students, they would definitely see the need for our students.”

Other plans in the bond include:

• A new Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) storm shelter and classrooms at the Elementary School
• A new FEMA storm shelter and classrooms at the Intermediate School
• A new competition gym at the Junior High, which will also serve as a FEMA  rated shelter. The shelter will be open to the public after school hours
• A new 82-space parking lot for Junior High and High School use, which will provide a bus loop
• Renovating the gymnasium at the elementary school.

The vote on the proposal will be August 27.

To pass, the proposition  must carry at least 60 percent of the vote.

Purcell schools has a webpage with information on the proposal. It can be found at www.purcellps.org/page/bond.