Category Archives: 2012 bond

Workshop attendees learn about overcoming small business obstacles

This month’s Workshop Wednesday featured a presentation by Michelle Levi, president & CEO of Elite Tax and Notary Service, titled Overcoming Small Business Obstacles. Participants learned techniques to increase operational efficiency and boost productivity in a small business environment.

“If you own a small business or are planning to start one, it’s important to know your industry and pitfalls to avoid,” Levi said. “Planning is essential for long-term success.”

Levi stressed the importance of sound administrative practices to about 40 attendees and explained that maintaining a successful small business comes through having a strong structure that is purposefully organized.

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Construction progress on new Milby HS hard to miss

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If you haven’t driven by the new Milby High School recently, the progress is hard to miss and it’s even visible from the 610 Loop.

Construction on the new 267,000-square-foot project along Broadway in Houston’s East End is about 65 percent complete and tracking on schedule for a projected summer 2017 opening. The school is a combination of new construction and renovation that preserves the historical front entrance while creating a modern learning environment for up to 2,000 students.

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Leland College Prep Academy construction nears halfway point

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Construction on the new Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy for Young Men, located in Houston’s historic Fifth Ward, has been progressing well over the last quarter, and is now about 50 percent complete.

Part of HISD’s current bond program, the new 139,000 square-foot-facility, located at 1701 Gregg St., will accommodate 900 to 1,000 students once completed in the second quarter of 2017. Continue reading →

HISD Bond Oversight Committee tours new Condit ES, gets update on 2012 Bond Program

Condit Elementary School Principal Dan Greenberg shared his vision for 21st century learning on Tuesday as he led HISD Bond Oversight Committee members on a tour of his new school, which opens for students next  month.

Placing an emphasis on modern learning styles, the two-story school features bright colors, open spaces, large windows that let in copious amounts of light, and curved walls that create lots of seating nooks.

White boards are found throughout the hallways, creating pockets where students can gather and learn throughout the building.

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Bond program features district-wide technology upgrades

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You’ve probably heard about HISD’s $1.89 billion bond program to rebuild or renovate 40 schools across the district. But did you know that $100 million of that funding has been earmarked to upgrade technology infrastructure at all HISD schools?

Once complete, the enhanced digital framework will provide expanded internet access throughout each campus, allowing for the delivery of more robust online instructional resources to classrooms and mobile devices.

“Each school has tablets and laptops available for use in the classroom, meaning that as many as 30 devices are in use in close proximity,” said Lenny Schad, HISD’s Chief Technology Information Officer. “Expanding the district’s Wi-Fi capability at all campuses will allow us to provide sufficient access for a large number of devices and also will support our mobile learning initiative in a cost-effective way.” Continue reading →

Board president takes Up Close look at bond program with interim COO

Approved by Houston voters in 2012, HISD’s Bond Program will renovate or rebuild 40 schools across the district, and Interim Chief Operating Officer Lenny Schad shared the latest details during the July episode of Up Close with Manuel Rodriguez.

“This summer is shaping up to be a turning point in the bond program,” Rodriguez said, as he opened his show. “Currently, we have more than two dozen schools under construction, and we are set to open six new schools in August.” Continue reading →

Monthly workshop features coaching on leadership communications

Participants in this month’s Workshop Wednesday, entitled Talk Like a Leader, learned that strong leadership and effective communication go hand-in-hand, and received tips on incorporating constructive phrases, positive body language, and effective vocal quality into daily interactions.workshopwed 0716

Presented by Corinne Chalmers, owner and leadership coach at Deliberate Changes, the workshop also gave insight into fundamental strategies for what works and what doesn’t when influencing others.

“Leadership is all about influencing a group toward a common goal,” Chalmers said. “There is very little distinction between strong leadership skills and strong communication skills.”

The group of about 50 attendees learned to drop key phrases that harm credibility and adopt new ones that create positive influence and encourage mutual respect in a conversation. Continue reading →

Construction on new Askew ES to begin as early as September

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Site work at Askew Elementary School is underway with construction of the new building scheduled to begin this fall, according to design and construction plans presented to community members on Tuesday.

Existing temporary buildings are being removed to make room for construction of the new school on the north side of the campus. Crews are preparing to install two temporary classroom buildings on the southwest side of the campus to accommodate students during construction.

“This is the exciting part of the job when everything starts to come to life,” Project Manager Ron Keller said to about 40 people who gathered for an update on plans for the $26.6 million facility, which is part of HISD’s voter-approved 2012 Bond.

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Extreme Makeover: Middle School Restroom Edition

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Student restrooms at 31 middle schools across HISD are being renovated with funds from the district’s $1.89 billion bond program. When completed, the remodeled facilities will be fully ADA accessible and include much needed upgrades.

Renovations at each campus will vary, but the total scope of work includes installation of new plumbing, sinks and fixtures, new toilets and urinals with automatic flush valves, and electric hand-dryers, as well as repairs to existing walls, and installation of new wall and floor tile, lighting, and painted gypsum board ceilings. New toilet partitions will be black with a textured surface to deter students from marking on them. Continue reading →

Bird’s-eye view of bond construction

School construction is moving forward across the city at a record pace as project teams work to implement the district’s $1.89 billion bond program. With about two dozen projects currently under construction, chances are you’ve seen some of this work in progress.

For a bird’s-eye view of some of the sites, check out these aerial photos taken in May and June.

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HISD’s voter-approved bond program calls for the rebuilding or renovation of 40 schools, including 29 high schools. Once complete, HISD will have one of the most modern portfolios of high schools in the country.

The bond program also includes projects that will benefit students across the district, including $100 million in technology upgrades, $44.7 million to replace regional fieldhouses and improve athletics facilities, $35 million to renovate middle school restrooms, and $17.3 million for safety and security improvements

Schools set to open in time for the start of the 2016-2017 school year include Condit and Mark White elementary schools, North Houston Early College and South Early College high schools, Mandarin Immersion Magnet School, and (non-bond) North Forest Early Childhood Center.

More information on HISD Building Programs