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The design process to build a new Yates High School recently was highlighted in a new HISD video.

“I want to see a building that’s aesthetically pleasing,” said Yates principal Donetrus Hill. “One that is safety-oriented, a building that really speaks to our history, our heritage, [and] a building that gives us the learning environment that we need.”

The current building, located on Sampson Street in Houston’s Third Ward since 1958, is one of 40 schools HISD will rebuild or renovate under the district’s 2012 $1.89 billion bond program.

“One of the things we have to keep in mind as part of our guiding principles is to make sure we build a building that’s good for today, good for tomorrow, [and] good forever,” said architect Jonathan Moody of Moody Nolan Architects.

Yates is planned to be rebuilt for 1,300 to 1,500 students with a $59.5 million project budget. Construction on the school is scheduled to begin in mid- to late 2015, and the school will be open during construction.

“The old school will be torn down but the heritage and everything it has stood for will still be there,” said Yates parent and PTO President Angela Brantley.

At least two more community meetings will be held in the near future to present information and request feedback from the community.