The HISD Board of Education voted Thursday to move forward with a plan to compete for $12 million in federal grant funding to open eight new magnet schools emphasizing science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) instruction.
The measure passed with a 7-1 vote with Board President Anna Eastman opposed.
Berry Elementary School's new building features 90 percent natural light in highly occupied areas.
Houston Independent School District’s Berry Elementary School was recently awarded the Sustainability Design Excellence Award by the Texas and Oklahoma chapter of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) and was named a runner-up for the Best of the Year award by Interior Design Magazine.
The awards come just a year after construction was completed on the $15.6 million campus as part of the HISD’s 2007 bond program. That $805 million in funding has helped build 19 new schools so far, with another three slated for completion by the end of 2014.
Want to help guide the 2012 bond project at your school? There’s no better way than getting involved with your school’s Project Advisory Team, which will help lead the planning and design of new facilities across the district.
Sharpstown High School Principal Rob Gasparello wasted no time recruiting members for his PAT, which is typically made up of parents, teachers, community members and students. His school is among the first group of 17 schools to be built as part of the 2012 bond program.
“We want the final product to be the sum of its parts,” Gasparello said. “We want to gather as much input of what a 21st century school really needs to look like — we don’t want just one point of view.”
Booker T. Washington High School
More than 150 people turned out Tuesday evening at Booker T. Washington High School where they learned more about the district’s plan to build a new school at the site under the $1.89 billion bond program approved in November.
District officials held the meeting to review site needs, as well as the planning and design process for the new school. “We’re going to be working very closely with the community planning the facility,” said Dan Bankhead, HISD general manager for facility design.
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HISD Administrators recommend eight firms for selected projects; more recommendations to come
Administrators are recommending that the Board of Education authorize the district to negotiate contracts with eight firms on selected 2012 bond projects, including four schools and middle school restroom renovations.
HISD officials spent several weeks reviewing qualifications submitted by 85 architectural and engineering firms seeking to do work with the district under the 2012 bond program, which will build or renovate 40 schools across the district. The $1.89 billion bond program, approved by voters in November, will also fund middle school restroom renovations, technology upgrades, and safety and security upgrades.
Lockhart Elementary School Principal Felicia Adams
Schools getting ready for the 2012 HISD bond program don’t need to look far for helpful advice.
Just ask Peck Elementary School Principal Carlotta Brown, whose school was rebuilt thanks to the 2007 bond program. “I made my expectations to architects known from the beginning,” Brown said. “I told them I would be looking over things because I did not want sub-standard work.”
Brown’s vigilance paid off. Located in the Third Ward off Martin Luther King, Jr. Road, Peck’s new 750-student school opened in January after being consolidated with nearby McArthur Elementary School. Her goal was to make sure the new building reflected both campuses and communities.
About 35 people attended a community meeting on Thursday night at Young Men’s College Preparatory Academy to discuss construction plans for the fifth ward school under the $1.89 billion bond program.
Community members discuss plans for Young Men’s College Preparatory Academy at a meeting Thursday night at the school.
The 2012 bond program approved by voters in November will build or renovate 40 schools across the district, including 29 high schools.
School Board Trustee Rhonda Skillern-Jones led the discussion, which emphasized community involvement and a need for a facility that reflects the school’s curriculum.
“We want to make sure the academic program (at YMCPA) is sustained by the building,” Skillern-Jones said. “We need 21st century buildings for that.”
Meeting will focus on schedule, site needs,construction process for 2012 bond project
What: Community meeting to discuss the upcoming project to rebuild Booker T. Washington High School. As part of the 2012 Bond Program, voters authorized HISD to build a facility that would better meet the academic needs of students. The meeting will discuss project schedule and site considerations, as well as planning, design, and construction requirements.
Vendors and suppliers curious about how to do business with HISD got an overview Wednesday on how to fill out a “Request for Proposal,” the paperwork required for companies to bid on a project.
More than 45 people turned out for the workshop, sponsored by the district’s Office of Business Assistance. Leading the two-hour event was HISD procurement manager Robert B. Fazakerly, who covered topics such as how RFPs are evaluated and the importance of meeting all specified deadlines.
“We go by the time and date stamp at the board services office,” Fazakerly said. “If it’s late, we’re not even going to open the box.”
A woman signs up for a committee to help plan the new DeBakey.
About 30 people turned out Tuesday for a meeting at DeBakey High School for Health Professions, where they were urged to get involved in planning the new school that will be built under the 2012 bond program.
HISD Chief High School Officer Orlando Riddick told audience members that their ideas for the new facility should be innovative, and he encouraged them to think outside of the box. “The sky is the limit,” he said.
The $1.89 billion bond program will build or renovate 40 schools across the district, including 29 high schools.