HISD's Facilities Planning team members (from left): Kedrick Wright, LaJuan Harris, Princess Jenkins, and Dave Funk.

Growing up, Kedrick Wright wanted to be a construction worker because he loved building and remodeling things around the house. He eventually chose a different career, but as HISD’s new senior manager of Facilities Planning, Wright will be using his childhood interests to help replace or build 40 schools across the city.

Wright, who joined HISD on March 18, oversees a team of facilities planners recently hired to guide school officials, parents, and community members through the process of creating 21^st century schools as part of the $1.89 billion 2012 bond program.

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Alexis Licata, general manager of the Office of Business Assistance, describes how the district does business. Click on the image above to view videos.

Have a question about the 2012 bond? You might find the information you’re looking for in a series of short videos, designed for web and TV, produced by HISD to explain various aspects of the $1.89 building program.

The public can view videos on topics such as procurement and insurance on bond projects, as well as the benefits of building schools that are environmentally sustainable. The goal is to give viewers a quick snapshot into how the district is moving forward with its plan to build or renovate 40 schools across the district.

View videos in the series here

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Milby High School students learn printing and graphics technology skills in the school's print shop.

Students at Milby High School are learning about the latest technologies in HVAC repair in a building constructed in 1926, long before air conditioning was even installed.

Over the years, the school has figured out innovative ways to squeeze many sorts of career and technical education into its outdated space, from welding rooms to a print shop. But Principal Roy de la Garza anxiously awaits the construction of a new Milby High under the 2012 bond program.

See more photos from Milby High School

“If the kids have the appropriate technology and have a space that feels good and looks good, they’re only going to do better,” he said.

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Houston Independent School District’s Business Assistance office is hosting the first in a series of Construction Networking Events on Wednesday, April 3, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Delmar Fieldhouse.

The event will give attendees the opportunity to network and discuss requirements for the $1.89 billion 2012 bond project that will build or renovate 40 schools across the district, including 29 high schools. 

HISD’s Supplier Diversity Team Leader Bernard Willingham said networking events like this help establish and build relationships between general contractors and subcontractors. The goal is to help facilitate potential partnerships.

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A mural at Herrera Elementary School, created as part of a SPARK Park project, depicts the heritage of Hispanic culture.

When Principal Christopher Carnes walks down the halls of Herrera Elementary School in north Houston, students line up to give him give him high-fives.

After becoming principal nearly five years ago, Carnes said student enthusiasm has increased partly because of the vibrant green and yellow colors throughout the school and outside.

Click here for more photos of HISD school murals

“When I started upgrading the building, the kids’ pride really changed,” Carnes said. Continue reading →

A boy plays at the SPARK Park at Emerson Elementary school on Wednesday afternoon.

When the district’s $805 million bond program was approved by voters in 2007 to begin more than 180 construction and renovation projects across the district, Berry Elementary Principal Deborah Silber immediately began planning for her new school.

While she and her Project Advisory Team considered classroom sizes and how to include 21^st century technology in the school’s design, they also wanted to make sure they had enough space to include a new SPARK Park for the students and community that would replace the school’s original playground.

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Educators know that often the best way to understand something is to experience it.

The New Tech High School in Coppell, Texas opened its doors in 2008. The school has wide open spaces, every student has a laptop, and New Tech is a student centered project-based community.

That was the goal of a recent visit to Dallas by HISD principals and administrators, who got a firsthand look at new schools designed to embrace 21^st century learning. With the 2012 bond program slated to build or renovate 40 schools across the city, much discussion has focused on creating modern facilities that use innovative teaching methods. The tour included stops at three schools in the Dallas area.

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HISD COO Leo Bobadilla addresses the Houston Hispanic Architects & Engineers at a luncheon on Thursday.

More than 40 people turned out Thursday to hear an update on the 2012 bond program by HISD Chief Operating Officer Leo Bobadilla at a luncheon sponsored by the Houston Hispanic Architects & Engineers.

“The vision is simple,” he told the crowd. “Build 21^st century schools that support 21^st century learning.”

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Furr High Principal Bertie Simmons and teacher Lurlean Dixon participate in the “Building 21st Century Schools” symposium on Wednesday. Click on the image for more photos from the symposium.

For HISD teachers, students and staff wondering how to go about building 21^st century schools as part of the 2012 bond program, one architect has some advice.

“Start with talking about ideas,” said Christian Carlson, an architect with NBBJ, an architecture and design firm. “This is where the work happens.”

Carlson capped off a half-day symposium Wednesday on “Building 21^st Century Schools” for more than 200 parents, students, teachers, and staff who will be involved in the $1.89 billion program to repair or build 40 schools, including 29 high schools.

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