Fort Bend Independent School District has unveiled the next phase of the Sugar Land 95 Memorial, which includes an outdoor learning area and a memorial cemetery and is expected to be ready by 2025. More than five years have passed since the remains of the Sugar Land 95, 94 men and one woman, were found at the construction site of the James C. Reese Career and Technical Center. The 95 African American individuals discovered in 2018 died in brutal, state-sanctioned forced labor camps in the late 1800s, during Sugar Land’s era as a network of sugar cane plantations. After originally going to court with the question of where to rebury the remains, Fort Bend ISD in November 2019 returned the remains to the site where they were originally found and launched initiatives to educate the community about the history of the convict-leasing program. view article

Jacobs’ part of the project is a 5-year, $517 million contract to oversee the modernization of 10 Austin schools, which includes renovations, technology upgrades, and new facilities aimed at bolstering student mental health, nutrition, and athletic programs. In a news release, Jacobs People and Places Solutions Americas South Senior Vice President and General Manager Katus Watson said Austin’s historic voter-approved bond program supports the ISD in delivering “benefits to the community for decades to come.” view article

There was an unfinished canopy in front of Longview High School for a while that was tagged by the city because it wasn't permitted. What was its purpose? Also, why hasn't the old guard building been removed from the parking lot, as it is taking up parking spots? view article

At the end of the Midland ISD bond proposition language on the Nov. 7 ballot, there is a line – “This is a property tax increase.” The language is there because House Bill 3 -- passed this legislative session -- required school districts to include the line at the end of each proposition. As expected, speakers at the Midland County Republican Women’s luncheon didn’t see eye to eye as whether that language was applicable to the $1.4 billion bond Midland ISD is putting in front of its voters this fall. view article

Hand-in-hand with students from all Navarro campuses, the Navarro ISD Board of Trustees broke ground on a new high school Wednesday. Almost two years after voters approved a $130 million bond referendum, the district celebrated the official start of a two-year construction project on the new $97 million campus. view article

Lamar Consolidate ISD is soliciting names for four new elementary schools, which will be built using funds from the November 2022 bond. The future campuses are ES35 located at Bellaire Blvd. at FM 723, ES36 in Cross Creek West in Fulshear, ES37 near Peek Road and Beechnut Street, and ES38 in Brookwater Estates in Rosenberg. Nominations forms must be submitted no later than Sept. 22. All four elementary schools will hold 850 students, according to the district. For ES35 and ES36, construction will start in March 2024 and the campuses will open in fall of 2025. For ES37 and ES38, construction is likely to start in March 2025, with the campuses set to open in fall of 2026. view article

Marshall ISD trustees approved the finance plan proposed for the approved $41.9 million school bond to fund planned renovations to the high school at their Monday meeting. The finance plan was presented to trustees during the agenda review meeting for the school board last week, and covered when the bonds would be sold. Brian Grubbs with SAMCO Capital presented on the plan to trustees outlining how and when the company planned to take the bonds to market in the coming year. Grubbs outlined the planned timeline for the bond sales, which are planned for the week of Aug. 7 this year. He stated that all of the $41.9 million in bonds will go out to market at the same time, locking in a secured interest rate for the bond funds. Grubbs expected that the bond closing and the transfer of the bond funds would then take place around Aug. 24 this year, with additional plans made for the district to then pay a small interest payment on the bonds on Aug. 31. He stated that the interest payment made before September would help ensure that the bond was able to be considered hold harmless, which would continue to ensure the school boards security in the bond transaction. Grubbs stated that when the bond was initially proposed, the district expected the bonds to be for about a 25 year fixed period, with a 4.50 percent interest rate, based on the market at the time. view article

We're finally getting the first look at a brand new football field for Thomas Jefferson High School in Dallas, almost 4 years since a tornado tore through that part of the city. In October 2019, TJHS and Walnut Hill Elementary School were severely damaged by an EF-3 tornado. Following the storm's aftermath, the Dallas Cowboys, in partnership with the Gene and Jerry Jones Family Foundation and the NFL Foundation, pledged $1 million toward the reconstruction of TJ's football field and the procurement of essential football equipment. view article

As things stand today, Celina ISD’s projected pace for building future schools is fairly easy to remember. Elementary No. 4 will be open for fall of 2024. Elementary No. 5 will be open for fall 2025. The fall of 2026 will be a notable one with the openings of Elementary Nov. 6, Middle School No. 2 and an expansion of Celina High School that brings campus capacity to 3,000 students. The projects and their timings are designed to keep pace with the district’s growth — between 2019 and 2022, CISD grew from 2,831 students to 3,987 in 2022. According to numbers provided by the district, projections for 2023 bring enrollment to 4,544 (not including prekindergarten numbers) and have the district reaching over 10,000 students somewhere between 2027 and 2028. But as the district looks ahead, it’s well aware that it may need to start planning now for what’s next — and on an accelerated timeline. The district last passed a bond package in 2019. The $600 million package covered facilities through Elementary No. 6, the two new middle schools and the high school expansion. It was also supposed to sustain construction needs for 10 years into the future. view article

Bryan ISD will consider and take possible action on a proposed contract with Singleton Zimmer Architects, LLC on Monday. The meeting is scheduled for noon at the Bryan ISD Administration building. If the board approves the proposed contract, Singleton Zimmer Architects, LLC will provide design and construction administration services for the renovations of several secondary school projects for a total of $3,633,999.36. According to the meeting agenda, those projects include: view article

A contractor died after he fell through the roof of the Seguin ISD administrative offices building Wednesday afternoon. The incident was reported about 1:15 p.m. Wednesday at district offices, 1221 E. Kingsbury St. in Seguin, Seguin Battalion Chief Tom Teboe said. view article

Two propositions approved in November of 2021, are underway for Hooks ISD in Texas. Proposition A is $11.2 million and includes replacing restrooms and buildings and construction of an outdoor P.E. pavilion for the elementary school; replacing a building, constructing a new agriculture shop and renovating the restrooms at the junior high; renovating the high school wing and adding a multipurpose facility. view article

About a decade ago, one school district went to the state for money to fix its crumbling buildings. It got a fraction of what it asked for. Since then, no other district has even applied.  As a member of the school board in the remote Central Idaho town of Salmon, Josh Tolman worried that an earthquake would turn the elementary and middle schools to rubble. The foundations of the schools were crumbling. The floors buckled. The district canceled school whenever a few inches of snow fell for fear the roofs would cave in.  But Tolman and the school district were in a bind: They couldn’t convince enough voters to support a tax increase that would allow the district to build a new facility. The school board ran six bond elections in seven years. But even though 53% of the community supported the bond in one of their first attempts in 2006, it wasn’t enough. Idaho is one of two states that require two-thirds of voters to support a bond for it to pass. view article

Leaders in the Permian Basin have been averse to major investment projects because of the boom and bust cycle of the oil business. They hope this project helps shift that thinking.   As he toured a trendy sports facility earlier this year in Gainesville, Florida, Odessa City Council Member Mark Matta wondered why his hometown didn’t have its own.  Sure, Ratliff Stadium, home of the storied Permian Panthers, can hold nearly 20,000 for a Friday night high school football game. But the blue-collar town doesn't have a flashy complex with modern equipment and fields for sports of all kinds. In other words, the kind of sought-out facility found in bigger cities and suburbs, Matta said.  Upon his return from Florida, Matta rallied his fellow city council members to secure land, millions in donations and private-sector partnerships. And now, the maturing West Texas town is on track to build its first major sports complex. view article

NewsWest 9's Victor Lopez spoke with ECISD Superintendent Dr. Scott Muri and Sarah Moore, the chair for Odessans for a Bright Future, about the proposed bond. view article

During five community meetings, voters can learn about the Aldine Independent School District’s proposed $1.8 billion bond. The measure will be on the November 7 election ballot. “This bond represents the next chapter in the story of #MyAldine. It is how we fulfill our vision of providing choices and opportunities for future generations. A bond is much more than just transforming buildings and infrastructure. It is an affirmation that, as a community, we are committed to providing our students with the learning environments they need to continue moving forward and be future-ready,” Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney said. view article

In the heart of our community, the future of Greenville Independent School District is at a crucial crossroads and it’s up to us, the residents and voters of Greenville, to pave the way forward. Like it or not, growth – residential, industrial and commercial business – is headed east down Interstate 30 and it won’t be long until that growth reaches Greenville. But it won’t happen – at least the type of growth the community wants and needs – without good schools. Future residents and business will demand it. On the upcoming November ballot, we will be presented with a unique opportunity to invest in the education of our children and the growth of our city. With the proposal of three essential bond propositions totaling $189 million, GISD aims to make substantial improvements to our educational facilities and it is our duty to support this endeavor. The core of this bond proposal centers on Propositions A and B, which call for the replacement of the aging middle school and L.P. Waters Early Childhood Center. These facilities are currently 73 years old, deteriorating and failing to meet essential requirements set by the Americans with Disabilities Act, Texas Education Agency standards and updated building codes. Our children deserve better. view article

About 20 Killeen ISD employees who work at the school district’s newly expanded Sheridan Transportation Building on the south end of Trimmier Road have had to deal with hot temperatures inside as problems with the air-conditioning system continue. According to KISD spokeswoman Taina Northington Tuesday, after employees were moved into the building, one AC unit went down that affected multiple offices. Temporary air-conditioning units were then brought in to address the situation. A few days later, two more units went down and additional temporary units were brought in, Northington said. view article

After nearly two years since voters approved its bond, the rebuilding of Victoria school district's Mission Valley Elementary is finally moving forward. In a special meeting Tuesday evening, district trustees unanimously approved a budget set forward for the demolition and construction of new school building. "It has been a lengthy process," said trustee president Mike Mercer. "But from what (trustees) got to see ... man, this is going to be the crown jewel of VISD." According to materials from Tuesday's meeting, the guaranteed maximum price for the project is set for $23.2 million. In planning construction and estimating costs, the district worked with calculating the costs of the 56,000-foot facility. view article

ENID, Okla. — Chisholm Public Schools’ superintendent said a recent issue highlights the need for district patrons to approve an upcoming pair of bond issues. Voters in the district will head to the polls Sept. 12, 2023, to vote on a pair of bond issues totaling $3.45 million. One proposition, for $3.175 million, will fund new heating and air conditioning at the high school, new technology and band uniforms, with the bulk of the money going toward the HVAC system. “The need for this became more apparent because of the air conditioning already going out once during our hottest week,” Superintendent Marcus Chapman said. High temperatures topped 100 at the time. “It was out in seven rooms, so we had to utilize empty space at the middle school.” view article

The pavilions at Poteet and West Mesquite high schools are finished and are being used. Horn High School's pavilion will be completed within the next two weeks, while the ones at Mesquite and North Mesquite high schools will be finished by January. view article

Jacobs (NYSE: J) was selected by Austin Independent School District (ISD) in Austin, Texas to provide program management services in support of the district's capital improvement program. The program will implement more than $2.4 billion in capital works for Austin ISD facilities including modernization of 25 schools through full or phased renovations, districtwide security improvements, technology upgrades and maintenance. view article

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Austin Independent School District said district leaders will share more information Friday morning about an expected federal funding allocation for the former site of Pease Elementary School in Downtown Austin.  The Austin ISD Board of Trustees Thursday night approved a proposal from United Way for Greater Austin to operate an Early Childhood Center at the Pease site, the district said.  U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) would take part in Friday’s announcement along with AISD Interim Superintendent Matias Segura, AISD Trustee Lynn Boswell and United Way for Greater Austin CEO David Smith and AISD Director of Real Estate and Asset Management Jeremy Stiffler, according to the district. view article

This is "The Palace." That's how Wayne Guidry, Longview ISD's assistant superintendent for business and finance, and Transportation Coordinators Darryl Dans and John Mathis introduce the approximately 1,000-square-foot building at 1111 E. Young St. It's more than a bit of a misnomer — or maybe someone's sarcastic description of this building — but no one seems to know when or how it got its name. Next to Longview ISD's administrative offices, the bus barn is behind the main building at the front of the property where the district's maintenance and transportation administration is located. view article

Melissa ISD debuted a shiny new high school football stadium on Friday. Texas Class 5A Division II power Melissa thumped Argyle 50-14 in the first game played at the extravagant $35 million Coach Kenny Deel Stadium. The stadium, which seats 10,000 and features luxury boxes and a big scoreboard, went viral when photos of the finished product were shared on social media in August. Melissa High School enrolled around 1,300 students in 2021-22. Melissa is a northeast suburb of Dallas. Aerials graphic renderings of the plans went viral on social media. view article

Melissa ISD debuted a shiny new high school football stadium on Friday. Texas Class 5A Division II power Melissa thumped Argyle 50-14 in the first game played at the extravagant $35 million Coach Kenny Deel Stadium. The stadium, which seats 10,000 and features luxury boxes and a big scoreboard, went viral when photos of the finished product were shared on social media in August. Melissa High School enrolled around 1,300 students in 2021-22. Melissa is a northeast suburb of Dallas. Aerials graphic renderings of the plans went viral on social media. view article

Schools are spending millions of dollars on social-emotional learning programs, social workers and hotlines to support the mental health of students. Another possible solution that school district leaders and teachers should consider is building happy schools — meaning the inclusion of architectural features and structures that encourage feelings of joy and emotional security. Research has confirmed that the design of buildings can influence levels of stress, mental health, physical well-being and, in the case of schools, student achievement. view article

CHESTER – The first action of the Chester ISD Board of Trustees at its Monday night meeting, after Bryan Martin convened the meeting, was to adopt an order authorizing the issuance of the $5.3 million dollar bond at an interest rate of 4.6 percent. This rate, it was noted, is far below the projected rate of 5+ when the bond passed, thus lowering the amount of interest to be paid once approved by the state within the next 30 days. Source:  view article

Dallas ISD has adopted a new $8 million math curriculum they hope will help students master and improve math scores. It's one part of the curriculum changes DISD's superintendent has prioritized this year. For three years now, teachers at Anson Jones Elementary have been quietly teaching students different ways of doing math. view article

Melissa ISD debuted a shiny new high school football stadium on Friday. Texas Class 5A Division II power Melissa thumped Argyle 50-14 in the first game played at the extravagant $35 million Coach Kenny Deel Stadium. The stadium, which seats 10,000 and features luxury boxes and a big scoreboard, went viral when photos of the finished product were shared on social media in August. view article

In 2020, Allen ISD community members voted to approve a $189 million bond to assist in capital projects around the school district which included security updates, campus upgrades and more. At an Aug. 14 Allen ISD workshop, district staff presented an update, covering what bond projects have been completed as of this year. In August, Evans Elementary School and Allen High School’s A and K wings saw new architectural renovations, as well as new lighting, HVAC and other infrastructure items. According to Brian Neely, Allen ISD’s director of facilities, the upgrades to these campus’ lighting, HVAC, walls and external shell have resulted in reduced electricity costs. Among all newly renovated elementary schools, the district has saved around $4,097 per month, while newly renovated middle schools are saving the district 30% and Allen High School has seen a 19% reduction in electricity costs, Neely said. view article

All London Independent School District campuses were closed Wednesday after damages caused by Tropical Storm Harold. The district called restoration crews in early to start repairs on the damages. "We started seeing factors of electricity going out, fluctuating and then permanently going out in some buildings. We have four campuses so they were each experiencing different things going on," London ISD Superintendent Judi Whitis said. view article

One of the largest school districts in North Texas is putting $1.23 billion worth of projects on the November ballot for voters to consider. The bulk of the bond proposal will provide much-needed repairs and infrastructure improvements to Lewisville ISD school buildings, according to the district. The district serves students from Flower Mound to Frisco and Carrollton to The Colony. view article

Clear Creek ISD approved a $302 million bond to go up for election in November. The bond could help fund regular school operations. District officials say 2019 was the last time the state increased school funding despite operation costs increasing due to inflation. "This is a mechanism in which would generate additional revenue to help pay for teacher salaries, utility bills, fuel, things that we need on a day-to-day basis to run a school district," said Elaina Polsen, the Chief Communications Officer for Clear Creek ISD. view article

A controversial proposed student housing project planned for the South Overton neighborhood in central Lubbock was rejected by the Lubbock City Council in a 3-4 vote Tuesday evening. The council came to its decision after nearly three hours of public hearing, with eight people speaking in favor and more than 20 opposing the project. The council also received 102 letters in favor and 64 against the project. Councilmembers Christy Martinez-Garcia, Latrelle Joy, Shelia Patterson Harris and Mark McBrayer voted against the project with Councilwoman Jennifer Wilson, Mayor Tray Payne and Councilman Steve Massengale voting in favor. view article