Two years ago, the Texarkana Independent School District created two bond propositions to raise funds to help build new buildings and renovate others in the school district.
Proposition A now allowed for the construction of Parks Elementary School, located on Pine Street’s existing property, Wake Village Elementary renovations, a new Pre-K center for Dunbar Early Education Center, and safer security for every school, costing $9.06 a month. Proposition B offers an update to the existing and construction of a new Career and Technology Facilities (CTE) at the Texas High School campus with a partnership with local businesses and Texarkana College, costing $4.12 a month. Ultimately, both passed with a tax rate of $13.18 a month for each TISD homeowner, but the real question is: what’s going on out there?
“All CTE campus construction along with other district construction projects are on schedule,” Director of Operations Todd Marshall said. “And will be completed in the time that we established when we started the project, so by fall of 2025 for all projects and then Texas High CTE 2 renovation will be at the start of next school year, fall of 2025, and then CTE 1 will be completed December 2025.”
Starting construction on an active school campus naturally comes with its complications when working in the middle of it, yet it isn’t as discouraging as expected.
“There are deadlines, meetings, and overcoming logistical issues,” CTE Department Head Matthew Turner said. “But that comes with any job and its duties. Those that I work with in the department have been amazing as well, helping to cover classes, talk through issues, etc. I have always enjoyed the construction process and the problem-solving that comes along with it.”
These projects represent a way to show that our district takes the students’ futures seriously, willing to create new things for that path.
“I think that the addition of these buildings and the hallway renovations will let our community know that we hold the future of our students in the highest regard,” Turner said. “Perhaps the biggest thing is that these buildings will come with state-of-the-art equipment and opportunities that will improve learning from the time the lights are turned on and classes begin in them.”
With these projects moving so swiftly, several renovations make their way onto TISD campuses, all of which promise positive effects on the student’s learning environment.
“It will be a very transformative process,” Marshall said. “All but CTE 1 will be complete. All elementary students will be moved into their new facilities on all three campuses, including the Wake Village renovation. CTE 2 will be open and running, and CTE 1 will be nearing completion, including the renovation.”
