Houston Schools is seeking bids for three potential improvements on campus.
Superintendent Scott Dill presented information to school board members last week related to expanding the existing parking lot at the elementary, addressing roof concerns on three buildings not included in the 2013 bond issue and painting the hallways and gymnasium in the middle school. The board approved soliciting bids for all three projects.
“We have a significant list of needs, but we can’t make good decisions unless we have good data,” Dill said. “We’re not saying for certain that we will do any of these, but we are investigating.”
Dill said his first priority is the middle school facility. Along with paint, he said several walls need plaster work.
“Opening up our new facility has opened my eyes to how much pride students take in their school district when it’s where it needs to be,” he said. “We’ve done a lot of work over the years, but we’ve still got a lot to do.”
Bids for roof repairs will be on the west end of the high school, the superintendent’s office and classrooms and locker rooms at Hiett Gymnasium. Dill said there is minor leaking in the venues and occasional leaking at his office.
The parking project would cover property previously acquired by the school at the corner of Bryan and Chestnut streets. It would include demolition of a home.
There is currently a gravel parking lot adjacent to the property and directly across the street from the elementary building.
“Although it will be a significant investment, I would like to investigate the options,” Dill said.”
Also at last week’s monthly meeting, school board members:
-Employed Robert Hart (custodian), Nathan Christeson (middle school football coach), Veronica Douglas (Title I paraprofessional) and Wayne Sword (bus driver) for the current school year.
-Approved the following substitute teachers: Sydney Sigman, Ashley Miller, Mona Huffman, Victoria Miller and Jan Perryman, who will also be a substitute bus driver.
-Accepted the resignation of Joe Montgomery, transportation director and bus mechanic, at the end of the 2015-’16 school year. Montgomery is retiring.
-Approved amendments to the fiscal year 2016 budged related to code changes and updates for improvements from the bond issue.
-Heard assessment results related to MAP, EOC and ACT testing from the 2014-’15 school year from Pat Oakley.