Chapel Hill ISD continues progress on $113M bond projects
CHAPEL HILL — Nearly a year and a half has passed since voters approved a $113.9 million bond proposal for new campus facilities and safety upgrades at Chapel Hill ISD, and significant changes are in progress.
"It's important to recognize the excitement that comes with new facilities," said Superintendent Lamond Dean. "Our district is experiencing significant success across various areas, whether it's academic achievements, fine arts, athletics, or co-curricular activities."
Approved during what Chapel Hill ISD called a "landmark election," the bond covers several projects on all campuses, including a new junior high school building, new CTE facility, and updated classrooms and exteriors at the elementary schools.
"We want to be prepared when the immense amount of growth does hit us ... we don't want to have children out in portable buildings," Dean said. "We want to give them a facility that they can only be proud of but also will maximize their learning opportunity."
The last time a bond measure was passed for Chapel Hill ISD was 16 years ago, since then passage of bonds has been met with resistance from some community members. In 2022, a $125.24 million package was narrowly rejected. Prior to that, in 2015 another school bond, that time at $45 million, was defeated as the third package in three years to be turned down. Previously, a $21 million bond in November 2014 failed and in May 2013, voters couldn't get on board with a $31.2 million bond.
Because all three propositions passed, property tax rates will increase by .27 cents, or for a home valued at $100,000, the tax bill is estimated to increase no more than $13.53 per month.
Since 2021, the Bond Oversight Committee convenes once a quarter, or every nine weeks, to receive updates on the project. The members, who have been involved since the start, are informed about the bond's progress, including any challenges such as weather-related issues or delays in materials.
"We want to be transparent with what we are providing to our community and what we promised," Dean said. "And we want to do that through the voice of our community."
The bond projects comprises two construction companies: Jackson Construction and HGR Construction. HGR is working on the remodel and addition at the following campuses: Jackson, Wise, Kissam, the additions of CTE at the Chapel Hill High School and the new Multipurpose Athletic building. Jackson is working on Chapel Hill Junior High School and the operations facility.
The Chapel Hill Junior High School, which has been a part of the community since 1974, has the most significant change. It currently houses 7th and 8th grade students and shares property with Chapel Hill High School. The growing number of students has led to overcrowding in the halls, resulting in staggered bell schedules.
Located at 3102 East 5th Street in Tyler, the newest junior high school has its own 32 acres of property. The construction plan includes academic classrooms, science and computer labs, music rooms, rehearsal halls and a gymnasium with locker rooms. The estimated cost of the new junior high school will be $55,500,000.
According to HGR Construction, all four campuses are getting new storm shelters and the projects are expected to be completed next summer. "We encountered a lot of rain delays coming out of the ground but overall the schedules are being met," said Brooke Dillard, a representative of HGR General Contractors. "(And) we are still in budget with no concerns now or in the future that we see."
The construction company holds multiple onsite meetings weekly and uses an online construction program called Procore to ensure everyone has the latest drawings and communications. Safety measures also include posted safety signs, and daily inspections by superintendents to ensure compliance before construction begins.
Operations Facility
The new operations facility will be designed to include workshops, warehousing, in-school bus parking, and wash and fueling stations. It will provide employees with safe and adequate facilities, including accommodations for the transportation department, Child Nutrition, maintenance, and shopping and receiving departments. The estimated cost will be $4.8 million.
Career and Technical Education Center
The Career and Technical Education Center was built in 1966 and currently houses two special education classrooms and 14 trade and career-ready programs. The construction of the new facility will connect the building with the high school to improve safety and security for those students making their way to CTC classes.
The new facility will include modern classrooms and technical workshops equipped for 21st century learning environments. The estimated cost will be $20,200,000.
Multipurpose Activity Center
In an enclosed facility designed to provide a safe environment for physical wellness, students will be able to participate in a variety of activities. This includes 19 UIL organizations, such as band, cheer, dance and athletics.
This 57,000-square foot multipurpose facility will be between the Bulldog stadium and the high school parking lot. The estimated cost will be $12,100,000.
Elementary Schools
Jackson Elementary currently houses pre-kindergarten through 3rd grade students. With several new classrooms, the estimated cost will be $4 million.
Wise Elementary is currently adding new classrooms and a secure entrance to enhance safety for students entering the main building. The estimated cost will be $4.9 million - $4.4 million for the classroom additions and $500,000 for the entrance.
Non-Bond Projects
In 2024, the Board approved two additional safety projects at Kissam Intermediate and Wise Elementary, aimed at enhancing security and improving traffic flow. These initiatives were identified by the long-range facility committee, composed of community and staff members, who recognized their importance despite being excluded from the 2023 bond package. To alleviate the financial burden on the community, the Board of Trustees had initially decided to remove these renovations from the bond, but the ongoing safety concerns ultimately led to their reinstatement as priority projects.
"The board committed reserve funds that the district had, also known as fund balance funds, to finance those important projects," Dean said. "By utilizing the fund balance for these projects, there is no financial impact to the taxpayers. This decision helped reduce the tax impact by lowering the total amount of the 2023 bond."
At Kissam Intermediate, the construction of a new "snake" driveway will alleviate congestion during pickup and drop-off times, addressing safety concerns for staff and visitors. Following recommendations from the Facility Advisory Committee, the district opted to fund this project using its fund balance to minimize costs.
Additionally, a secure entrance project at Kissam Intermediate will enhance safety by relocating the front office and administrative spaces to create a secure barrier, ensuring a disturbance-free learning environment.
At Wise Elementary, a similar secure entrance project will establish a secure barrier to enhance safety for students and staff, further minimizing disruptions to the learning environment.
Both projects will be managed by a construction manager at risk (CMAR) appointed in August. The Board will review the Guaranteed Max Price and budget amendments for all initiatives in February, with construction set to begin in March 2024. These efforts reflect the district's commitment to creating safer, more secure environments for all students and staff.
"I speak on behalf of our school board when I say I cannot thank our community enough," Dean said. "We understand that this is not only a privilege and a gift that the community has given us but it's an honor and a responsibility. We thank them for entrusting us with the lives of their children, the educational future that we promised to provide as well as the ... resources to support the mission of the district to improve the lives of our children."
