AISD updates Steering Committee on 2015 bond referendum

On Tuesday, Sept. 13, Aldine ISD held a Steering Committee meeting to update members on the progress of the $798 million bond referendum Aldine voters overwhelmingly approved in November of 2015.

Parent Advisory & Steering Committee Meeting from Aldine ISD on Vimeo.

Deputy Superintendent Dr. Archie Blanson presented a Power Point presentation on projects that have already been completed, projects that are underway and future projects.

Dr. Blanson reminded committee members that the focus of the 2015 bond referendum was on technology, new construction, renovations to existing facilities and repairs.

The proposed bond projects include the construction of one Career and Technology high school, one Early College high school, three middle schools, one elementary school, two EC/Pre-K Centers and the replacement of Johnson and Francis elementary schools.

In addition, the bond will provide wireless upgrades at all of the district campuses, renovations/additions at Aldine High School and MacArthur High School and repairs at every campus. The bond referendum will also address grade configurations at EC/Pre-K-Kindergarten, elementary schools and middle schools. The remodeling of Carver High School and Anderson Elementary School will also be addressed by the 2015 bond referendum and the installation of a GPS system on all district buses.

Dr. Blanson informed the audience that the GPS tracking and management system has been completed and the software integration phase is underway. Other projects that have been completed include:[ul class=”list list-arrow_blue”][li]Auditorium remodels at Stovall Middle School, Hambrick Middle School[/li][li]Band hall additions at Hoffman, Hambrick, Teague and Shotwell middle schools[/li][li]Installation of artificial turf and fencing upgrade at Smith Stadium[/li][li]Upgrades of swimming pools at Aldine, Eisenhower, Nimitz and MacArthur high schools[/li][li]Parking lot expansions at Stephens Elementary, Orange Grove Elementary and Hoffman Middle School[/li][/ul]

As for upcoming projects, floor plans have been approved for the CTE high school, the new EC/Pre-K centers, the elementary school and the middle schools.

Planning has also begun on the Early College high school, and the new Northside Transportation Center.

Dr. Blanson also shared with committee members the capital improvement projects that were completed during the 2015-16 school year. Those projects were:[ul class=”list list-arrow_blue”][li]Replacement of marker boards at various schools[/li][li]Replacement of casework at various schools[/li][li]Aldine Administration Building renovations[/li][li]Installation of a new marquee and scoreboard at Bill Smith Stadium[/li][li]Construction of new dugouts at all high school baseball and softball fields[/li][li]Renovations at Smith Academy, Carver High School, Worsham Elementary, Oleson Elementary and Raymond Academy[/li][li]Construction of a new front driveway at Hoffman Middle School[/li][/ul]

Dr. Blanson also provided an update on the closeout of the 2007 bond referendum. The construction of Greenspoint Elementary School was the final project of the 2007 bond. Greenspoint Elementary opened at the beginning of the 2016-17 school year.