While some technology needs have already been ordered and installed, the Argyle school district is working to have most of its 2007 bond projects completed within a year.

The board approved the sale of $20.75 million in bonds in January for projects the voters approved in the November 2007 election.

Earlier this month the school held a community meeting to update residents on the district’s bond projects and introduce Conrad Streeter as the new principal for yet unnamed fifth-and-sixth-grade campus, Superintendent Jason Ceyanes said.

Streeter will work with a committee put together by the district to determine that campus’ name, said Ceyanes.

Streeter comes to Argyle from the Lewisville school district. He was hired on a one-year probationary period, a common practice among school districts, and will start full-time March 10.

The board is set tonight to hire a construction manager “contractor-at-risk,” which guarantees the maximum price the district will pay for renovation work on the almost 17-year-old fifth-and-sixth-grade campus.

Ceyanes hopes to have the renovations at that campus completed before the fall semester begins.

Software and 90 new computers have already been installed, as well as flat-screen monitors for the remaining lab and classroom computers.

The district has also ordered a server to upgrade district’s computer network.

Also on the way are two full-sized buses and two 14-passenger buses.

The music program’s needs, worth $150,000, have been delegated to Kathy Johnson, band director.

Ceyanes hopes to have a plan for the $800,000 field turf ready to present to the board at tonight’s meeting.

The board approved STB Architects of Dallas for all 2007 bond construction and renovations projects throughout the district, which includes more seating at the stadium and a concession stand on the visitor side.

Site preparation and design for the new campus might take a little longer than a year to complete, said Ceyanes, who added they have to get the land first.

Both Standard & Poor and Moody increased Argyle’s financial rating earlier this year, Ceyanes said, helping the school district get a lower interest rate for its bonds.

The interest rate the district was able to receive for its bonds was 4.667 percent.

Argyle had proposed in an informational brochure printed prior to the bond election that the tax rate for 2008-09 school year could reach the state cap of $1.540 for each $100 of property value, but based on its improved bond rating, Ceyanes said, the rate should increase only to $1.499 per $100 of property value.

The district is growing, so that estimate — based partially off home appraisal values — could decrease when the tax roll is released in July, said Ceyanes.

Unused bond money will be put into the school’s construction fund.

AMY DODD THOMPSON can be reached at 940-566-6876. Her e-mail address is athompson@dentonrc.com .