The Hays CISD Board of Trustees heard an update regarding ongoing projects within the district at its July 22 meeting.
KYLE — The Hays CISD Board of Trustees heard an update regarding ongoing projects within the district at its July 22 meeting.
Jim Cullen Elementary School
Trustee Byron Severance began the discussion by asking what the updates are on the Jim Cullen Elementary School.
According to Max Cleaver, chief operations officer, one aspect of the construction has been delayed: landscaping. Due to the ongoing Texas dry heat, the city of Kyle has allowed a deferment for the timeline of the plants and trees until the weather provides more rainfall and less heat, especially with the “millions of gallons of water it takes to get it going,” explained Cleaver.
He also reassured Severance that the timeline allows for staff members to move in their supplies on Aug. 1 at the same time as all of the other district’s faculty.
“At the campus, we are anticipating a [Temporary Certificate of Occupancy] this week and so, we have been coordinating with our fire marshal, as well as we have principal [Elizabeth] Lara on standby, as well as her team [to let them know when we receive it],” said Nathan Wenoswitch, executive director of facilities construction & bond programs. “We’re [also] not opening this with [temporary] gear and or anything like that, so we have all of our permanent components in place.”
The furniture installation is also completed at JCES, as well as at Tom Green Elementary School and Kyle Elementary School for the upcoming school year.
In anticipation of the opening of JCES, the district will be holding a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new elementary school at 10 a.m. on Aug. 2.
Wallace Middle School
In regards to the work that was being done on the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) at Wallace Middle School, trustee Esperanza Orosco requested an update, due to orientation approaching.
“It’s a race to the finish, so we’ve been working closely with principal [Joanne] Carlisle there to make sure that that is a seamless transition,” said Wenoswitch.
The construction aims to be completed on Aug. 1 and should not impact the orientations, he confirmed.
Trustee Vanessa Petrea inquired about the flooring, as well, that was being delayed until the summer to finish. Wenoswitch stated that it should be finished within the week, while Cleaver commended the project, stating that it is going well and staff can provide more information on the project at a later date.
Johnson High School parking plans
Trustees were provided with a parking plan of Johnson High School at the meeting, to which trustee Johnny Flores requested another for Lehman High School, due to the number of parents asking about the parking details for the upcoming school year.
The west parking lot by CHES will strictly be for faculty, while temporary gravel lots will be added for additional parking. The plan is still preliminary and has yet to be adopted by JHS, said chief communication officer Tim Savoy.
“There is only one way in and out [of JHS], will we have officers helping with that,” asked Petrea. “That’s what’s really frustrating and that creates a huge safety concern because people literally just jump over the curbs at Carpenter Hill [Elementary School] and just go.”
She also said that from the east side parking lot, which will now be the senior parking lot, it takes an hour to get out, which is not viable for those with families or jobs after school, “because of that stupid light.”
Head of District Safety & Security Jeri Skrocki said that she will be questioning the Texas Department of Transportation to increase the cycling of the light, but that there have also been changes at JHS that they are working on, including the possible use of the back gate of the school as an exit.
“It’s very dangerous and there’s been several accidents in front of there, so hopefully the light situation will get fixed. As that population grows and grows, it’s just harder to get out of there,” said Petrea.
Hays CISD Board of Trustees will met next on Aug. 26.