Category Archives: District VIII – Diana Dávila

Six HISD schools set to open new facilities in January

HISD will open six new schools next month, bringing the total number of new campuses opened during the past year to 21 and marking the completion of more than 80 percent of all school construction projects.

Schools include Madison and Worthing high schools, Sam Houston Math, Science and Technology Center, Barbara Jordan Career Center, Wharton Dual Language Academy, and Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. All are part of the 2012 Bond Program.

“We’ve completed a record-breaking number of projects,” HISD Construction Services Officer Derrick Sanders said. “Essentially, that means more students now have access to vibrant, modern, state-of-the-art learning spaces. That’s our goal.” Continue reading →

Austin HS celebrates groundbreaking ceremony for new campus

Austin High School students, staff, alumni, and community members gathered Tuesday to show their appreciation for the 81-year-old campus and celebrate the start of construction on their new school.

The groundbreaking ceremony was held just beyond the site where the current school is undergoing demolition and adjacent to where construction crews have started work on the foundation for the new school.
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Kinder HSPVA students get first look at new campus

Excitement filled the air Wednesday at the new Kinder HSPVA as students toured the facility for the first time in advance of the school’s official opening day on Jan. 7.

Over winter break, the school will move out of its current campus in Montrose and into a new five-story building located at 790 Austin St. in downtown Houston near the city’s renowned arts and theater district.

“I think their mouths will be wide open,” HSPVA Principal Scott Allen predicted as he waited for the students to arrive. “They’ve seen photos, but that doesn’t do this building justice. They will feel so special that this state-of-the-art, one-of-a-kind facility was built just for them.” Continue reading →

New Wharton Dual Language Academy building nears completion

Construction on the new Wharton Dual Language Academy is now 95 percent complete with the project team, school principal, and teachers making plans to welcome students to the new facility in January.

Crews are currently wrapping up work on interior finishes and have begun waxing floors and sodding outdoor areas. All mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems are operational, data cable installation is complete, and final inspections are underway.

“Four years ago, we began planning. As we approach our move-in, it is exciting to see the final touches be put in place and to see our vision come to life,” Wharton Principal Jennifer Day said. “It is a beautiful facility, and we’re looking forward to our opening day with students in January.” Continue reading →

Austin HS prepares for start of construction

Construction crews at Austin High School spent much of the summer working to complete demolition, abatement, and underground site work in preparation for the start of construction on their new building.

While significant progress was made, the project encountered some hurdles. City of Houston permitting procedures changed and now require additional documents and information to be submitted. Additionally, asbestos removal took longer than anticipated.

To accommodate the additional time needed to procure the permit and safely remove hazardous materials from the construction site, school and project officials have updated the construction timeline. The school is now scheduled to will move into its new facility in summer 2020, with students and staff returning for the 2020-2021 school year. Continue reading →

Eastwood Academy HS celebrates opening of new building additions

Members of the East End community joined with the students and staff of Eastwood Academy on Friday, Oct. 19 to celebrate the completion and opening of the school’s new additions and renovations.

Built as part of HISD’s 2012 Bond Program, the $10.9 million project was completed in two phases. The first phase, which opened in January of this year, included renovations to the existing building and construction of an administrative wing. Phase two, a two-story library wing, opened for the start of the 2018-2019 school year.

“Our students have long-deserved a place that reflects their tremendous achievements,” Eastwood Academy Principal Brandi Lira said. “I am so grateful for the bond program, the district administrators, and the trustees, that they believed in making this building a reality for our students.” Continue reading →

HISD Board of Education unanimously votes to reinstate Lathan as interim superintendent

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The Houston Independent School District Board of Education voted unanimously to reinstate Dr. Grenita Lathan as interim superintendent of HISD.

The Board of Education also voted to authorize the Board President or her designees and the interim superintendent to bring back recommendations concerning executive coaches for trustees and the interim superintendent, respectively. Trustees voted to submit a request to the Texas Education Agency to change the district’s assigned governance conservator.

In addition, trustees voted to set a date for the completion of the superintendent search and adopt a resolution concerning reconciliation.

The firm Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates will conduct a national search for a permanent superintendent.

New Kinder HSPVA nears completion, set to open in January

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Construction on the new Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts is almost complete and scheduled to open at the start of 2019.

Kinder HSPVA’s $88 million project, which is part of the Houston Independent School District’s voter-approved 2012 Bond Program, is scheduled to open to students during first quarter of 2019.

Installation of building technology and system setup is currently underway, with furniture delivery slated to begin next month. Crews are now focused on finishing punch list items and finalizing the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Continue reading →

HISD Transportation Services holding job fair to recruit bus drivers

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The Houston Independent School District’s Transportation Services department will host a job fair this month to recruit bus drivers as part of continuing efforts to make sure all routes are fully staffed and drivers are available for both new routes and to provide coverage if employees are absent.

The job fair will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 22 at Sterling High School.

Selected applicants will earn a starting hourly wage of $16.65 and will be provided free CDL training. Other benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, Teacher Retirement System participation and special trip pay options. Continue reading →

Eastwood Academy students enjoy first day in new addition

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Students at Eastwood Academy looked right at home in the recently completed two-story library wing on Monday, as they gathered for the start of the 2018-2019 school year.

“It’s pretty cool. It’s calm and chill. It makes me happy,” senior Josue Cruz said. “I’ll come here more often to study. It’s nice how things have changed.”

The school’s new addition – which is the final phase of the school’s 2012 Bond Program construction – features a two-story library expansion, additional teaching spaces, small and large group gathering areas, a community meeting room, and an enclosed walkway that connects to the main entrance. Continue reading →