Long-range planning sometimes includes scheduling major campus renovations over multiple bond initiatives. In past SAISD Bond programs, partial renovations were planned at some of the campuses, with goals set to complete the work in future bond projects. Through the Bond 2020 program and guidance from the District's Master Plan 2030, 15 campuses are receiving the final phases of their overall projects.
Longfellow Middle School, the largest SAISD middle school and built in the 1950s era, is one of these campuses. Earlier, the 2010 Bond completed work to the main building's first and second floor. Now the rest of the school’s planned renovations will be finished. The Bond 2020 the finish outs at Longfellow include work to the third-floor classrooms, gym, locker rooms, and auditorium, to name a few.
Principal Nancy Rodriguez couldn't be more excited.
"We are looking forward to the new things that this Bond will bring to us, as well as enhancements like technology that will allow our students to take pride in [their school]," she said.
Bond 2020 major renovations include a total of 36 campuses. Additionally, more than one dozen schools, like Longfellow, are slated for finishing work and are classified as Category 2. Those schools are:
• Brackenridge High School
• Burbank High School
• Edison High School
• Fox Tech Campus
• Highlands High School
• Sam Houston High School
• Jefferson High School
• Lanier High School
• Davis Middle School
• Longfellow Middle School
• Rogers Middle School
• Tafolla Middle School
• Bowden Academy
• J.T. Brackenridge Elementary School
• Irving Dual Language Academy
Before Bond 2020 was decided by voters in November 2019, Rodriguez purchased some pieces of technology for her teachers with other funding available to her. Her community of parents have also been a big part of Longfellow's success in supporting students and teachers.
Rodriguez is grateful that Bond 2020 is now in effect, bringing even greater resources.
"The Bond will definitely provide for us, and have a huge impact on learning," Rodriguez said. "Having upgraded technology resources will be huge pluses for our kids. It's the right thing to do."
Architects for Bond 2020 have now been selected, and soon community meetings will be offered for input on the various aspects of the program. Learn more about these upcoming meetings on our Bond homepage and keep up to date on projects as they happen in the stories section.