Spring Branch ISD Featured News

What a difference a year makes.

No fewer than 10 replacement or remodeling projects are underway in Spring Branch ISD, each one part of Bond 2017, The $898.4 million bond package was approved with 80 percent of the vote in November 2017.

That’s not counting work already done, nor is it counting non-building projects such as digital expansion (putting new technology devices into students’ hands) or new musical instruments and band uniforms or ordering new school buses. In fact, the bond’s transportation dollars will go further now because of several grants used to buy new buses.

A CTE Task Force, funded by bond proceeds, has finished its work and its findings have been prioritized by the Board of Trustees. District staff is taking that feedback and creating next steps in the development of a “world class” career and technical education program.

And along the way, each of the four comprehensive high schools will get a new turf field – an artificial surface that more accurately emulates grass – for athletics, band practice and other school activities. Turf fields may be installed independent of other bond work at a particular school, depending on scheduling.

The district has sold $146 million of the authorized $898.4 million, with another sale likely this summer or fall. Bonds are sold in anticipation of coming projects.

Scroll down for a look at current and completed projects.

The Bond Oversight Committee, a group of 18 community members who are charged with making sure that the bond program “remain faithful” to promises made to voters, has met five times and made its annual presentation to the Board in November of last year.

What you likely haven’t seen yet is site clearing or steel rising from a ready building site. The bond program’s first year can be likened to a swimming duck – all is calm and smooth on the surface, but she’s paddling madly below the surface.

Director of Construction and Planning Travis Stanford said that his team has been busy selecting architects and laying the groundwork for a multitude of projects that promise to further transform the district by rebuilding the oldest remaining elementary schools and begin the replacement of secondary schools.

“It’s amazing,” he said. “We had 40 (architecture) firms submit (qualifications). That’s huge participation, and it’s because of Spring Branch ISD. They’ll all tell you they like working with Spring Branch.”

In total, Stanford said, more than 80 firms – architects, engineers, surveyors, etc. – showed interest in working with SBISD on Bond 2017.

Of those 40, seven were selected based on a variety of reasons, including their expertise with educational facilities and in some cases, even more specialized proficiencies. Architects are assigned projects based on the unique requirements of building sites or function and how that aligns with a firm’s experience.

Community Input

SBISD has a long history of community involvement and includes a variety of input in every replacement school or major remodel. A Project Advisory Team (PAT) particular to a facility and that includes district and school staff, parents, community members – students at the secondary level – helps design every rebuild or remodel.

“Over the years we’ve seen the respect that Spring Branch has for the community and for parents, and architects respond to that,” said Stanford. “We feed off of and get excited at PAT meetings, engaging with staff and students and everyone else to design the best building possible for that community.”

For example, he said, look at Ridgecrest Elementary and Rummel Creek Elementary, two schools rebuilt as part of the previous bond program. Architects approached those designs differently because the students, the sites and the communities are different.

“The district has a history of customizing schools,” Stanford said. “Architects like that. We tailor a campus to meet the needs of that community.”

Bond building projects will use a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) approach in Bond 2017, meaning that a construction contractor is involved with pre-construction planning and can price the project accordingly. 

Stanford said that he and the district are pleased with the architects and CMARs selected for the coming work.

“There’s a sense of partnership between the district, the architects and the CMARs,” he said. “(And) having a 10-year program (long-term, in bond years) helps contribute to that partnership.”

Here’s a look at building projects either completed or in progress.

Bond Project Map

BEAR BOULEVARD
8860 Westview 77055
LION LANE
2210 Ridgecrest 77055
TIGER TRAIL
10406 Tiger Trail 77043
WILDCAT WAY
12754 Kimberley 77024
Engineer: Johnston LLC
Contractor: Bass Construction 

Tiger Trail and Wildcat Way will receive chiller replacements this summer. The same work was done at Bear Boulevard and Lion Lane during the summer of 2018. Frequent service interruptions result in vulnerable populations – three- and four-year-olds – being dismissed because of no air conditioning. Redundant systems mean that one fails, another can pick up the load. These facilities will also receive new courtyard lighting to improve safety and efficiency. The district’s pre-K centers were built in 2001 and 2002.

 

 

BUFFALO CREEK ELEMENTARY
2801 Blalock 77080
TREASURE FOREST ELEMENTARY
7635 Amelia 77055 
Architect: Huckabee
Contractor: TBD

These schools, opened in 1997 and 1996, respectively, will get major mechanical work and major renovations of their libraries, around which the schools are focused. Work at both schools will be accomplished over two summers, starting this summer (2019) with major mechanical and other work. Stanford said that the goal is to accomplish the most scope the first summer, with the least interruption to students and staff. “We’re always balancing the needs of students with our construction,” he said. The PATs at both schools have finished their work, with architects wrapping up the design phase.

CEDAR BROOK ELEMENTARY
2121 Ojeman 77080
Architect: Huckabee
Contractor: TBD

Crowded conditions at this dual-language school necessitate an additional classroom building to replace current temporary buildings. Pre-PAT “fact-finding” meetings are being held to help set parameters for the design. PAT meetings will start soon and run through the fall, with construction expected to begin in the first quarter of 2020. Cedar Brook will also get some updates in the media center. “The size, placement and other factors will be determined by curriculum needs,” said Stanford. Cedar Brook was built in 1993.

EAST TRANSITION CAMPUS
8654 Emnora 77080
Architect: TBD
Contractor: TBD

The former Edgewood Elementary has served as transition space for several campuses rebuilt during the 2007 bond program. The campus will again be pressed into service for transition space. Architects and district staff will begin assessing the East Transition Campus for deficiencies before transitions begin. The former Edgewood facility was built in 1960. The school was relocated and a new facility constructed at southeast corner of Kempwood and Hollister.

HUNTERS CREEK ELEMENTARY
10650 Beinhorn 77024
Architect: Pfluger
Contractor: TBD

Hunters Creek, built in 1954, will be the first elementary school replaced through Bond 2017, continuing the transformation of district elementary schools begun with the 2007 bond program. The PAT had its first meeting on Jan. 23. Hunters Creek will be built on the existing site with its students and staff relocating mid-year to the South Transition Campus (next to Westchester Academy for International Studies) with construction set to begin in the first quarter of 2020. 

LANDRUM MIDDLE SCHOOL
2200 Ridgecrest 77055
Architect: Stantec
Contractor: TBD

Landrum will be the first middle school replaced in SBISD. Built in 1956 and the district’s second middle school (called junior high at the time), the venerable facility was named for SBISD’s first superintendent, Dr. H.M Landrum.  Students and staff were originally slated to move off-site for demolition and construction of the new building but will now likely remain in place as architects and district officials believe the school can be built elsewhere on the existing site in a multi-story configuration. The PAT has begun meeting and should conclude its work in late April. Construction is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2020. Stanford said this will be a phased project in that the new school will be constructed, then the old building demolished and parking and accommodations added.

 

 

MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL
935 Echo 77024
Architect: Stantec
Contractor: TBD

Opened in 1962, the district’s oldest remaining high school is scheduled to be rebuilt in phases. The Memorial Master Plan Advisory Team (MPAT) met throughout the fall to establish a plan for a rebuilt campus and determine the location of temporary classrooms and tennis court relocation. The MPAT reported to SBISD Trustees in December of 2018. The existing tennis courts will be relocated on the practice field adjacent to Piney Point Road to provide space for a new classroom building that will replace several existing wings. Much thought was given to how different users – students, staff, parents, community – access the building and the flow of traffic. A PAT will now approach the design of Phase 1. 

NORTHBROOK HIGH SCHOOL
1 Raider Circle North 77080
Architect: PBK
Contractor: TBD

A classroom building will be constructed at Northbrook High School to help alleviate a shortage of classroom space. Pre-PAT meetings are being set up, Stanford said, to better understand the school’s programs, staff and student needs and other factors. (YES Prep Northbrook is co-located with Northbrook High School.) The building will receive some interior and exterior renovations along with the classroom wing. Northbrook High School was built in 1974.

SPRING OAKS MIDDLE SCHOOL
2150 Shadowdale 77043
Architect: Pfluger
Contractor: TBD

Spring Oaks, built in 1967, will have major roofing work done and get new windows in the competition gym this summer. The entry and front office area will be renovated to improve safety and efficiency. Planning and Construction is working with the campus, athletics and the architects on scheduling the work, which is slated for completion in the third quarter of 2019.

 

 

SPRING WOODS HIGH SCHOOL
2045 Gessner 77080
Architect: PBK
Contractor: TBD

The SWHS PAT has done its work and has proposed major renovations to the cafeteria and media center, focal points of that campus. Spring Woods High will receive renovations throughout, and  replacement of major mechanical equipment. Work is scheduled to be completed in the third quarter of 2020. Spring Woods High School was built in 1964.

SOUTH TRANSITION CAMPUS
11339 Britoak 77079
Architect: TBD
Contractor: TBD

Built next to Westchester Academy of International Studies to accommodate several schools while being rebuilt during the 2007 bond, the South Transition Campus will reopen to the students and staff of Hunters Creek Elementary next year while their campus is rebuilt. Architects and district staff will assess the South Transition Campus for deficiencies before the move next December.

STRATFORD HIGH SCHOOL
14555 Fern 77079
Architect: PBK
Contractor: TBD

Pre-PAT meetings are being conducted at Stratford High School, home of the award-winning Stratford Playhouse whose cramped, outdated auditorium will be replaced. The campus will receive security upgrades along with major mechanical upgrades and a partial roof replacement. Construction is scheduled to be completed in the third quarter of 2021. Stratford High School was built in 1974.

by Rusty Graham
russell.graham@springbranchisd.com