Deer Park School District voters have less than a week to get their ballots postmarked to be counted in the proposed $21.4 million bond issue to remodel the 27-year-old high school.

All ballots must be postmarked by May 15 to be counted.

If approved, the school district will be eligible for at least $18.16 million in state matching funds as part of the bond issue.

The bond issue will cost district property owners $1.39 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, which is only a 5.3 increase from the failed $11.9 bond issue two years ago that was also earmarked for high school renovation.

The current bond issue includes 52,303 square feet in new construction that will include a 325-seat auditorium, a new 400-seat auxiliary gymnasium and a dozen new classrooms. District officials estimate new construction cost at $250 per square foot.

The auditorium and gymnasium will be available for community use.

The modernization of the current 81,000-square-foot building will include complete renovations of the heating, cooling and electrical systems. Cost of that portion of the project is estimated at $200 per square foot.

In addition, the plan calls for a firefighting loop around the school that will allow emergency vehicles access to all parts of the building. Security will also be upgraded with cameras placed througout the building and connecting all the hallways.

The overhaul and new construction plan is based on the recommendation of a 14-member citizens facilities committee that met on a number of occasions last fall.

If approved, construction would start in June 2008 and be completed 18 months later. In the interim, school district officials have set aside $300,000 for temporary student classrooms. Construction would also be done in phases to keep students away from the on-going work.