Page 5B • The Leader • December 13, 2012 • www.theleadernews.com
Waltrip, B.T. Washington among first for construction by Jonathan McElvy jonathan@theleadernews.com The easy part was done in the November general election, when H ouston voters overwhelmingly passed a bond issue that will improve some of the area’s neediest schools. Now comes the real work – the bricks and mortar, literally. The H ouston Independent School D istrict has announced the construction timeline for all 40 schools under the bond to be built or renovated, and two area schools made the fi rst wave of repairs. Beginning in early to mid 2013, planning and design for Waltrip H igh School and B.T. Washington H igh School will begin, and construction on those two schools – among 15 others – will begin by the end of 2014. “Last month, nearly 70 percent of H ISD voters showed tremendous confi dence and faith in our ability to deliver the modern campuses H ouston’s children deserve,” said H ISD Superintendent Terry G rier. “We are ready to move forward with the most ambitious school rebuilding effort in Texas history and deliver on our promises.” Ambitious as it may be, that doesn’t mean the sledge hammers can fall just yet. The planning is actually more diffi cult than the construction.
“We’ll begin meeting the principals very soon,” said Jason Spencer, spokesman for H ISD. “O ne of the things we’re trying to do with this project is fi guring out ‘swing space.’ We’re doing everything humanly possible to avoid building temporary campuses.” In early remodeling projects at H ISD, there has been a need to move students out of their schools in order to complete the construction. But as Spencer explained, doing so is very expensive, ultimately taking money away from construction. “And there’s no return on it,” he said. That’s why planning with principals will be so important. “We need to coordinate the demolition in phases,” Spencer said. What also must be coordinated is who does the work. H ISD has already put out a “Request for Q ualifi cation,” and design and construction companies are making their pitches to get some of the work. H ISD is not required to take the cheapest bid, but Spencer said there is a scorecard the system will use to award the bids. “We’ll look for the best value, whether the business is minority or woman-owned, and if the company has done work with us before, among other things,” Spencer said. O nce design and construction has begun for the G roup 1
The Waltrip High School campus was constructed in 1959 and has undergone renovations as part of the 2007 bond program. The Parsons Condition Assessment indicates the main building is in relatively good shape but the other buildings would require over $16 million to repair or replace deteriorating building components within the next 10 years. The Educational Suitability Score indicates there are many sub-standard instructional spaces in this facility. The 2012 Capital Improvement Program will continue the work started in the 2007 bond program to provide a more appropriate instructional environment that will meet or exceed current standards. The partial replacement and general renovations will accommodate 1,800 – 2,000 students.
schools, there will be three other groups that follow. In this specifi c area, there are no schools that will be part of G roups 2 or 3. In the fi nal group, however, G arden O aks K-8 will receive a makeover. That project, G roup 4, will begin planning and design in later 2015 or early 2016, with construction anticipated to begin in mid 2017. Until then, Spencer said there will be other, interim projects that are done throughout the entire system. “Every middle school is going to have its restrooms upgraded,” he said. “That will be done over
Garden Oaks wins solar energy challenge Solar lighting will soon be coming to the walkways at G arden O aks Elementary School, which recently was named one of the winners of G reen M ountain Energy’s Vote Solar for G ood Facebook challenge and will receive a $1,500 grant. The lights will also be used to conduct experiments while monitoring energy savings. “I am happy that we won this solar equipment,” said 4th grade student C hristopher Knauth. “We should besides making path lights use it to conserve energy. This combined with the fact that
Washington High School
Waltrip High School
Pictured, from left, are Avery Foster, Sarah Klein, Omar Godoy and Carmen Ford. we are buying a wind turbine should tremendously lower our energy consumption.”G arden O aks environmental science teacher Ashley McAffee is excited the grant will be used to purchase
new solar equipment. “The students are working very hard learning about ways to conserve energy at home,” said McAffee. “Now they will be able to observe energy conservation on our own
THE CLASSIFIEDS.
three years, in 2014, 2015 and 2016.” Among other projects slated under this bond are: • $100 million for district-wide technology improvements • $44.7 million to replace regional fi eld houses and improve athletic facilities • $17.3 million for districtwide safety and security improvements.
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B.T. Washington High School consists of 4 main school buildings. The original campus was constructed in 1958 and additions to the main school building were constructed in 1962, 1988, and 2002. The Parsons Condition Assessment indicates that within the next 10 years it will require over $57.3 million dollars to repair deteriorating building systems just to maintain the status quo. The assessment indicated that the school lacks an inviting and stimulating learning environment and the classrooms do not allow for flexible or differentiated instruction due to size and configuration limitations. With this assessment a new facility can be constructed for less than it will take to maintain and repair the existing facility. The new facility will accommodate 1,000 – 1,300 students.
Contagious Coughs In Dogs Dogs, like people can easily acquire contagious cough, cold and flu like diseases from other dogs or the germs they left behind. Outbreaks can spread quickly through the air or excrements. This is a major problem in dog pounds and shelters where unvaccinated dogs from all over are concentrated in a shared environment. These germs are everywhere in our community. The most common cough germs are Bordetella, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza and Distemper virus which we can vaccinate against. We do not have vaccines for some of the other cough germs. Often secondary bacteria will take opportunity and sick dogs will develop pneumonia. Hospitalization and proper antibiotics may be needed. These germs are by no means restricted to kennels. Contagious cough is the most common vaccine preventable disease we see from dogs throughout scattered neighborhoods. Canine Influenza Virus is less common but it is a severe threat if your dog is exposed. Your veterinarian can recommend a vaccine schedule for your individual pet. Responsible pet owners prevent disease.
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