Yearly Archives: 2012

2012 Bond Proposal Calls for New DeBakey High School in the Heart of the Texas Medical Center

The 2012 bond proposal includes $64.5 million to rebuild DeBakey High School for Health Professions. The new campus would be located in the heart of the Texas Medical Center and would provide students with expanded access to health care and research facilities. DeBakey is one several HISD magnet and specialty schools that would be rebuilt under the 2012 Bond proposal.

DeBakey

Current DeBakey HS.

A new campus is also planned for the nationally renowned High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. It would be built downtown near Houston’s vaunted Theater District on land that HISD already owns at 1300 Capitol.

HSPVA

HSPVA would get a new campus under the 2012 bond.

 In all, the 2012 bond proposal includes funding to rebuild or renovate 38 schools, upgrade technology in all HISD classrooms, and make other districtwide improvements. The Board of Education is set to vote on the 2012 bond proposal on August 9. If an election is called and the measure is approved by voters in November, the design phase of the bond project could begin in early 2013 and construction of new schools would likely start in 2014.

Board to Vote Aug. 9 on Whether to Bring Bond Proposal to Voters

 The HISD Board of Education is expected to decide on Aug. 9 whether to bring the bond proposal before voters in November. More updates from this morning’s Board of Education workshop:

  • Every new HISD school included in the bond proposal would be built to the same quality standards.
  • HISD leaders will work with architects and engineers about how to space the work and in which order campuses would be rebuilt. Demolition, site improvements, and other considerations would be taken into account. Community input would also be sought.
  • HISD is committed to building schools on time and efficiently; building plan will be ready to launch once voters approve.

Updates from Bond Discussion: Exteriors of Several High Schools Would Be Preserved

Following are updates from the bond discussion at the Board of Education workshop this morning. For live updates, follow us on Twitter, @HoustonISD.

  • In all, the HISD bond proposal includes 28 high schools, 2 middle schools, 5 K-8 schools, and 3 elementary schools.
  • The bond proposal was guided by a third-party facilities assessment that identified the need to modernize Houston high school classrooms. (View the report here).
  • Four high schools would receive renovations under the bond plan: Kashmere, Scarborough, Sharpstown International, and Jones.
  • Architecturally significant exteriors of several high schools (Lamar, Davis, Austin, Milby) would be preserved in new construction.
  • If voters approved the bond in November, design work of new schools would begin in early 2013. Construction would likely begin in 2014. Many of the new high schools could open for the 2016-2017 school year.
  • High school construction costs were calculated on a $160-per-square-foot basis, which is below the regional average.

Click here to access the 2012 Facilities Capital Improvement Program Proposal, campus facility assessment data and other bond resources.

Board of Education Discusses Proposal to Rebuild 20 High Schools

The HISD Board of Education is meeting to discuss a proposal for rebuilding high schools across the city. Here are some highlights from the discussion, which you can follow on Twitter, @HoustonISD:

Staff has spent weeks scrutinizing and fine-tuning the initial $1.89 billion proposal for rebuilding and modernizing schools. Adjustments have been made to the proposed capacities for several new schools included in the HISD bond proposal, including a brand new DeBakey HS to be located inside the Texas Medical Center at a cost of $64.5 million.

The HISD bond proposal would rebuild the following high schools:

  • Bellaire
  • Davis
  • DeBakey
  • Furr
  • HSPVA
  • Jordan
  • Lee
  • Madison
  • Sharpstown
  • Sterling
  • Washington
  • Worthing
  • Yates
  • Austin
  • Davis
  • Milby
  • Sam Houston
  • Eastwood
  • North Early College
  • South Early College

Also, a new addition and renovations to Wilson Montessori K-8 School.

To see specific proposals for each campus and for districtwide projects, click here.

Preparations underway for the annual Back to School Fest

Back to School Fest, set for Saturday, August 11, looks to be a full morning of family fun. The festival, held at  Reliant Center, will offer games for children, health screenings, free immunizations, school uniforms, and school supplies. 

See photos of volunteers getting ready for this annual event:

Are You a Member of the Millionaire Club? What Are You Reading This Summer?

The first day of school in HISD is still more than a month away, but it’s not too late for students to participate in the Millionaire Club, the district’s annual summer reading initiative. Just finish five books by the time school starts and you could be eligible for incentives, recognition, and other prizes!

 Be sure to share your favorite selections with us in the comment section below, so that other students can enjoy them, too! Happy reading!

Booker T. Washington Student Embarks on Unique Expedition

Booker T. Washington High School student Darryl Prevost has embarked on a deep-sea expedition aboard Titanic discoverer Dr. Robert Ballard’s ship of exploration. The Exploration Vessel Nautilus is currently exploring the waters of the Black, Aegean, and Mediterranean seas off the coasts of Turkey and Cyprus.

Darryl Prevost

Prevost, 17, who was selected as a JASON Project National Argonaut, is among a group of students, educators, and scientists from around the world participating in the weeklong expedition.   

Since 1990, the JASON National Argonaut program has provided hands-on, scientific field work to more than 450 students and educators worldwide, many of whom have gone on to pursue degrees and careers in science. National Argonauts also participate in scientific research with peers and scientists and return to their communities as mentors and role models.

Prevost, the only HISD student participating in the expedition, says he is thankful for the opportunity and is excited about being chosen for the project.

“I was in shock at first when I heard my name being called out as one of the Argonaut winners,” Prevost said. “I hope to learn and explore a lot while I am aboard the Nautilus.”

The JASON Project, managed by Sea Research Foundation and National Geographic Society, was founded by Ballard and is an internationally acclaimed, exploration-based program that links students—inside the classroom and out—to real science and scientists through technology intensive, inquiry-based curricular experiences.

Gregory-Lincoln Education Center Summer Teaching Institute

For two weeks in June at Gregory-Lincoln Education Center, teachers and administrators gathered for a team building and planning event, “The 48 Hour Summer Teaching Institute.”  For 6 hours a day over an 8 day period, the group participated in team building, planning, literature review, and shared vision exercises.  One of the highlights of the institute was when former 8th grade students discussed their experiences with the teachers.  During the student panels, administrators were able to ask the students specific questions to help gain insight about their teaching methods from a student’s point of view.

The goal of the institute was for teachers and administrators to come together to develop a better education plan for the upcoming school year.  Principal Pamela Farinas hopes events like this will help teachers and faculty recognize common goals and bonds as educators.  She also hopes the teaching institute will become an annual event.

HISD Transportation Listed Among the 100 Best Fleets in the Country for Second Consecutive Year

For the second consecutive year, the Houston Independent School District made the list of the top 100 fleets in the nation for 2012, according to Government Fleet, a leading transportation industry magazine.  HISD moved up five spots to number 52 on the list and once again is the only school district in the country to earn a spot on the list.

“Ranking among the best in the nation is a clear reflection of the hard work of our transportation team, from our bus drivers to our mechanics and our entire staff,” HISD’s Chief Operating Officer Leo Bobadilla said.  “HISD’s Transportation Department is truly dedicated to safely transporting our students to and from school every day.”

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