AISD considers campus repairs

ANAHUAC— Nearing completion of bond projects, Anahuac Independent School District met last week to discuss what further priorities they should focus on for repairs to campuses.

AISD met on Monday, Oct. 27, where two representatives of the Long Range Facility Planning Committee gave an overall report of what they believe should be priorities for the district.

They toured each campus to identify areas that needed improvement and those that were already being improved, developing a list in the process. From there, the committee was broken into groups to cover the high school, middle school and elementary school campuses, as well as the district’s administration building.

After voting on priorities, the committee rejoined to vote from the new list.

Overall, safety was the top priority across all campuses.

The top three priorities came from Anahuac High School, with the top and third priorities being roof repairs and construction in various spots, estimated to cost a total of $1 million.

Anahuac Middle School was fourth on the list of priorities, with the request to construct a new campus, estimated to cost $43.5 million.

At 28th on the list, the committee suggested renovating the existing AMS campus to enable its continued use for an additional 10 years.

Anahuac Elementary School first appears on the list at the sixth-place ranking with a request to repair plumbing fixtures, valves and drinking fountains.

Other items on the list include repairing water and sanitary sewer systems at AHS, AMS, and AES; installing outdoor lighting at AHS, AMS, and the administration building; and making wall and floor repairs at AHS and AMS.

A representative from Cre8 Architects returned to discuss bond projects after board members and administrative staff expressed safety concerns at the administrative building during a previous meeting.

The representative brought various suggestions to the board to discuss amongst themselves before a decision is made.

The first is to build a secure lobby by installing an electric front door with bullet-resistant windows and walls, similar to the campuses, which is estimated to cost $90,000.

To open up the front windows on the outside walls, it would cost an additional $180,000.

The admin building could be moved to AES, as it doesn’t affect staff there, but sectioning off the ideal area would cost more than the additions previously mentioned, plus if AES enrollment grew, the space may be needed.

The representative also mentioned renovating the entire administration building, providing examples of leveling the floors by taking out the raised portion, opening windows that have been bricked in, and including a new conference room and office spaces.

Aside from the administration building, the representative informed the board that $602,000 will be returned to the district as the funds were not used in bond projects.

District Business Manager Tammy Duhon provided a report from the Financial Integrity Rating Systems of Texas, which aims to hold districts accountable for their financial management practices.

Duhon said the district received near-perfect scores with an overall rating of 94%.

At the beginning of the meeting, AHS students showed off their rocket while teacher and coach Kirk Moore explained some recent accomplishments of the students.

The advanced engineering students, in a partnership with students from Hardin-Jefferson High School, participated in the CAF Wings Over Houston Airshow, marking history as the first students to drag race rockets at an air show.

Moore said the students launched two rockets simultaneously at the show, which were not allowed to exceed 2,000 feet in altitude.

“Unfortunately, we got them back, but not how we wanted to,” Moore said.

The students designed, built and troubleshooted issues for their rockets. The rockets were designed to be 10 feet tall, about 36 pounds, about 7 inches in diameter and about a 30-inch fin span.

Board President John Redman commended the students for their hard work, noting that Tammy Ly had the opportunity to present over the loudspeaker during the show.

The students were invited back for next year’s Wings Over Houston Airshow.