Jones landed a seat on the board for the first time in November, beating out three opponents to win the District IV spot being vacated by departing trustee Paula Harris, who did not seek re-election. Jones says she is looking forward to focusing on the new superintendent search. She is also planning to advocate for the preservation of existing schools, and to work on resource equity.
Got health insurance? If not, attend a weekly enrollment event
If your family still hasn’t selected health insurance for 2016, don’t despair.
HISD’s Health and Medical Services Department, in partnership with the City of Houston Health and Human Services Department and the Health Insurance Marketplace SRA, will be hosting events every weekend throughout the month of January in an effort to help families meet the requirements of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and enroll in the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)/Children’s Medicaid.
The events will be held in different areas of the city at various Multi–Service Centers, and navigators will be on-site for application assistance.
The next event will take place on Friday, Jan. 22, at the Hiram Clarke Multi-Service Center (3810 W. Fuqua, 77045) from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. Please see the attached flyer (.pdf) for details and additional dates.
Significant work completed on Waltrip HS bond project
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Waltrip’s project scope includes partial replacement and general renovations to the existing building to accommodate 1,800 to 2,000 students.
Students are remaining on campus throughout construction. Significant behind-the-scenes work has been ongoing in the past year including the upgrading of the campus main electrical service feed, replacement of electrical panels and transformers in several areas along with needed demolition work.
Installation of a new curtainwall system and windows and upgrades of athletics offices and locker rooms were the main focus in the third and fourth quarters. Replacement of the fire alarm, HVAC and electrical systems are ongoing. Band hall and JROTC renovations are now underway. Some renovated classrooms were made ready for move-in over winter break.
Current project work includes:
Auditorium seat replacement has begun with the installation new cushioned seating.
New fire sprinkler system pipe is being installed above the ceiling in the dining area.
Newly renovated CTE Health classrooms, science labs and other classroom areas including Extended Learning rooms in the three-story academic wing are being completed and HISD movers are setting these new rooms up for teachers’ and students’ use next week for school.
Renovation of the new Art Room lab is progressing.
Renovation to several existing restrooms in the three-story academic wing is nearly complete.
Renovation and build-out of the Boy’s Athletic Locker Room area wall stud framing is nearly complete and electrical work is under way.
The new Band Addition foundation is progressing and structural steel is on site, erection of steel columns and beams has begun.
As each area is complete and operable it is turned over to campus personnel for use. The project has a target completion date of third quarter 2016.
New building for North Houston Early College HS to be ready for 2016-17 school year
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Construction on the new North Houston Early College High School is well underway with its structure currently in place, and roofing and exterior framing on the building is ongoing. The school will receive a new building to accommodate 400 students located at the Houston Community College (HCC) Northline Campus.
The 59,000-square-foot facility will feature modern science labs, flexible learning spaces and a college resource center to provide students with college scholarship and registration information as well as access to counselors.
Construction will be completed in the second quarter of 2016, and be ready for students for the 2016-2017 school year.
Construction continues for new North Forest HS
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Steel beams are now standing, and concrete slabs are being completed on the new North Forest High School.
The new facility will accommodate 1,300 to 1,500 students and is set to include plenty of natural light, flexible learning spaces, a modern dining commons and CTE (career and technical education) spaces. It is the only school in the district with plans for an indoor running track.
The target completion is first quarter of 2017.
Construction well underway for new South Early College HS
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Construction on the new South Early College High School is well underway. Roof installation and exterior framing is currently ongoing, along with concrete installation for the parking lot, building sheathing and waterproofing.
The 57,000 square foot facility, located on the campus of Houston Community College South Campus, will accommodate 400 students and will feature flexible learning spaces that support the school’s technological programs, including robotics, computer technology, and software engineering. The new building is slated to open for the 2016-2017 school year.
Update on Young Women’s College Prep bond project
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This all-girls secondary school is slated to receive a $27.1 million makeover that will preserve its historic past while creating modern learning spaces to help prepare students for college and careers.
The design includes adding a circular drive to the front of the building with a covered pick-up/drop-off area. The administrative offices, now on the second floor, will be relocated near the building’s main entrance, where a secure vestibule will be added. Much of the interior renovation will focus on modernizing the classroom spaces into larger learning centers with better natural light, integrated technology and flexible furniture. An addition is slated to be built adjacent to the current auditorium, and will feature an atrium and flexible spaces to create a college-like, collaborative atmosphere for the students.
The school held its first community meeting in August of 2015 and a second one will be held in early 2016 to discuss the design development. The goal is to have the project bid so construction can start by the end of 2016.
Abatement underway, with construction soon to follow for new Yates HS
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Yates will receive a new $59.4 million school to accommodate 1,300 to 1,500 students. The building will have a grand entryway with large windows that connects the front and back entrances and additional learning spaces designed to accommodate the school’s career and technology programming including the communications magnet.
Other features include a three-story academic wing with flexible core learning centers, and a one-story high volume performance wing with an auditorium, spaces for fine arts and JROTC, a gymnasium, and athletics area.
Abatement is underway on the Phase I buildings slated to be demolished to make room for the new school. Construction on the new building will start in the first quarter of 2016, with a target completion of first quarter 2018.
Design for new Madison HS underway
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Madison High School’s Project Advisory Team held its second community meeting on Dec. 3 to discuss design progress to date. The new $82.7 million school will face West Orem with a defined entrance that will integrate the new facility into the community.
Under the proposed design, the school entrance would be flanked by a three-story academic wing to the east and performing arts and community spaces to the west. The gym and athletics area would be located to the northeast. The facility’s academic wing will showcase the school’s Career & Technical Education programs, including metal working, automotive, and agriculture. The different academic neighborhoods will be connected by learning commons that give students a place to study and collaborate.
At least one more community meeting will be held before construction of the new school begins.
Update of Austin HS Bond Project
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Austin High School is slated to receive a new $68.4 million facility preserving the architecturally significant building structure for 1,800 to 2,000 students.
The project held its first community meeting in August of 2015 to discuss the design progress to date. The preliminary plan maintains the front facade and historic auditorium while renovating the architecturally significant portion of the building along Dumble Street. The back section of the building along Lockwood will be replaced with a new addition. The concept includes a new entrance for visitors to enter from Jefferson Street, which will be constructed adjacent to new administrative offices. The plan also includes cutout drives for buses on Lockwood and parent cars on Dumble to avoid blocking traffic lanes during commute hours. Additional features of the new campus will include new gymnasiums and CTE labs and a new kitchen and dining commons area with both indoor and outdoor seating options. The two current courtyards will be kept and enhanced as additional flexible learning space.
A second community meeting will be held in early to mid-2016, with the goal to have the project out for bid by the end of the year.