Hollibrook Elementary School hosts first district groundbreaking

Statement by David Slattery, Bond Oversight Committee co-chair

This is truly a milestone event in the SBISD 2007 Bond Program! Today’s groundbreaking ceremony represents a very big step in the transformation of our school district through the replacement of 12 existing elementary schools.

Almost three years ago, the Board of Trustees invited many members of this community to work alongside district employees and professional consultants to develop a Long Range Facilities Plan, a Five-Year Educational Plan and Technology Plan for SBISD.

With these plans in place, the Board then charged another group of more than 60 citizens, parents, teachers and administrators to develop a bond proposal for recommendation to the Board.

In keeping with the district’s desire to include community members in this process, a Bond Oversight Committee was formed in January to review and report on the progress of the 2007 Bond Program.

As a member of the Bond Oversight Committee, I would like to express our appreciation to Dr. Klussmann and the Board of Trustees for allowing us to participate in this transformational process.

I would also like to thank Ruben Reyes, Karen Wilson, Terry Bell and other administrative staff for making themselves available to the Bond Oversight Committee and providing us with ample information and project status reports. Finally, I want to thank Jennifer Henrickson and her team at SHW Group for their planning expertise and exceptional efforts to work within very aggressive schedule and budget constraints.

As we witness this groundbreaking today, our community can be proud of the new Hollibrook Elementary School that will soon begin taking shape on this site. Thank you.

David Slattery
Bond Oversight Committee co-chair