Sinclair Elementary School will receive a new modular building ahead of the 2021-2022 school year as part of a planned expansion to accommodate more students at the growing campus.

The school will use the new building to incrementally grow capacity, one grade level at a time, ahead of a projected increase in student enrollment.

The expansion plan originally called for two temporary buildings but was revised amid concerns from the community about saving more of the mature pine trees that surround the campus.

“We’re excited to be moving forward with the expansion project,” Sinclair Principal Lee Mashburn said. “The revised plan ensures we are able to meet the needs of our campus, while taking into consideration the needs of our community.”

The revised plan requires the removal of eight to 12 of the more than 200 trees on the Sinclair campus, rather than the original 23. It was presented to parents and members of the school’s Parent-Teacher Organization during a townhall meeting earlier this month.

“Sinclair is a wonderful school,” Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan said. “I’m pleased we were able to come to consensus on a plan that allows the school to grow in an environmentally sustainable and responsible way.”

The new modular building, which includes eight classrooms and one restroom, will immediately address capacity needs for the foreseeable future, while maintaining the school’s soccer and baseball fields.

“We listened to the community and heard their strong desires to save trees,” HISD’s General Manager of Facilities Design Dan Bankhead said. “Thanks to their input, we were able to produce a more sustainable plan for everybody.” 

The impacted trees are scheduled to be cut on Feb. 27 and 28. Plans are being finalized to commemorate the trees being removed.