Houston Independent School District trustees are set to decide whether to use emergency funds to repair Lee High School at a board meeting later today.

The school is in need of structural repair, HISD administrators said Monday at a board workshop meeting. The board will decide whether to use capital funds on an emergency basis to pay for needed engineering, consultation and construction work.

HISD Superintendent Terry Grier said this would not be a permanent fix and told trustees that the building will eventually need to be replaced. Grier said a new running track is scheduled to be added to the high school and questioned whether adding a track to the campus in northwest Houston is the best investment right now.

“There is only so much room at that site,” Grier said. “If a new school needs to be built, we want to make sure there is enough room for it.”

HISD needs to use emergency funds, because there is not any leftover bond money or a present bond allocation associated with Lee to do the work.

Houston ISD trustees will also vote on whether to approve several grants, including a $1.8 million grant for an algebra readiness program.

The board meeting begins 5 p.m. at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, 4440 West 18th St. Be sure to follow @TexasWatchdog or #HISD on Twitter for up-to-the-minute updates.

Video added at 4:05 p.m. 07/15/10.