HISD plans to expand pre-kindergarten and modernize campuses with $4.4 billion bond

Houston ISD officials released some details of a historic $4.4 billion bond and vowed not to raise taxes during its first public hearing at Cornelius Elementary School on Thursday.

The district wants to spend $1.35 billion on campus security, updating the HVAC system and testing school facilities to meet environmental standards. He also wants to devote $2.05 billion to rebuilding and renovating schools, and an additional $1 billion to developing kindergarten and vocational and technical education.

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HISD identified more than 40 campuses out of 273 with “urgent facilities needs” in its presentation. Officials, who tailored their presentation to the district’s South Division, said six elementary campuses in that area would be rebuilt: Brookline, Grissom, Hobby, Kelso, Law and Montgomery.

Six campuses would be renovated: Baylor at Ryan Middle School, Deady Middle School, Attucks Middle School, Cornelius Elementary School, Petersen Elementary School and Windsor Village Elementary School. And two schools are listed as “move and renovate” in the plan: Blackshear Elementary School and Sanchez Elementary School.

Fifty-three campuses in the district’s south will benefit from safety measures or health improvements, district officials said.

HISD has not yet released details for other regions.

Toni Cervantes, a Cornelius parent, said she appreciates that the HVAC improvements are part of the district’s plan and highlight the campus’ long-standing temporary buildings. She said she plans to vote in favor of the bond.

“I’m really involved, like parent engagement on campus, and then I run the PTO, and I can tell you firsthand these kids need air. We need air conditioning. We need rooms more flexible classrooms with more modern technology and equipment,” Cervantes said, adding, “Our teachers do the best work every day when they come up with what they have to work with. But our kids, our teachers, the staff. deserve much more.

The presentation included photographs of items in need of repair or replacement at schools in Kelso, Brookline, Cornelius and others.

“In some cases, conditions in schools are very, very poor,” said Deputy Chief of Operations Alishia K. Jolivette. “As I mentioned, the cost of renovation will exceed the cost of replacement, and so we are going to recommend a complete rebuild on some campuses. But, again, on others we are going to do renovations and enlargements. focus on.”

Chief Academic Officer Kristen Hole presented a plan to expand pre-kindergarten, and the district identified the Wisdom and Lamar feeding models as the areas most in need of expanding pre-kindergarten.

“So with the bond investment, we have an opportunity to think strategically about expanding kindergarten seats so we can reach a goal of 4,000 additional students,” Hole said. “This would allow us to serve all of our 4-year-olds and at least a third of our pre-kindergarten-eligible 3-year-olds with the TEA (Texas Education Agency).”

HISD would also build a career and technical education institute at a location within six miles of surrounding high schools in the district’s south, Hole said.

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HISD is offering bond at a time when many community members are wary of the district and calling for more transparency. Earlier in the day, elected officials, local civil rights leaders and community organization leaders called for a federal investigation into the District during a news conference hosted by the Houston branch of the NAACP. Some executives said they did not support a bond at this time.

Flyers reading “NO TRUST = NO BOND” – a phrase frequently shared by community members making comments at board meetings – were distributed. Part of the flyer, which said it was “printed in-house with a labor donation from Houston DSA,” read: “Money intended for our schools is not going where it should.” ” He mentioned, among other points, the Spectrum News report that the charter school network founded by state-appointed superintendent Mike Miles allegedly shifted funds from Texas public charter schools to Texas campuses. Colorado while Miles was CEO. HISD administration commented that “the claims contained in the story have been specifically debunked” in a statement released Thursday.

Cornelius parent Oscar Alvarado said he appreciated that the money would help update the district’s assets, but he was concerned about how the broader political climate and discussions over school vouchers — which could have a impact on public school enrollment numbers by diverting public money to tuition in private and religious schools – would affect the execution of a bond and the future of the schools. He said he was still deciding whether he would vote for a bond.

Rolando Martinez, who said he could speak as a Cornelius parent and not as a state-appointed board member, said he noticed the need to improve this campus from years before joining the board of directors. Cornelius, for example, has no awning, leaving teachers with umbrellas to escort students to their parents’ cars when it rains.

“I’ve seen the needs at Cornelius. I’ve visited other schools. There’s a lot of needs throughout the district,” he said.

Liaison meetings are scheduled for June 4 at 6 p.m. at Fondren Middle School and June 5 at 6 p.m. at Fleming Middle School. The Forest Brook Middle School meeting has been rescheduled for 6 p.m. on June 10. The committee will also hold a virtual meeting at 10 a.m. Saturday on the bond.