The metal-framed, brick structure echoes with the sounds of cranes and workers as wandering teachers observe the construction progress of their future classrooms. On March 13, 2025, Matthew Turner, the lead of the Career and Technology Education Department, gave CTE course instructors tours of the up-and-coming facilities on campus.
This project started more than a year ago and is a component of the district’s bond. The initiative’s timeline began with a number of meetings to discuss the funding for the new buildings and the architects who would develop these plans.
“Construction really got started well over a year ago, with meetings with the community, teachers and admin. There were many discussions and meetings on what we wanted as a campus, district and community,” Turner said. “Once a plan was in place, and we knew how much everything would cost, then that’s when the bond stuff ramped up, and we went from there on that.”
The contractors who would help complete the plans and blueprints for the future buildings, as well as comply with the requests and additions required to meet the needs of the community and council members involved in the creation of these new facilities, met with the TISD administrators, principals, and teachers.
“It all starts with what the client wants, so your teachers, principals and administration of Texas High, and what they want to give to the future of [this] town, so [we were] really kind of going through the design phase, brainstorming and then eventually [came to] a rough design,” Dylan Roberts of Jackson Construction said. “Once they finalized everything, we put out the bid to different general contractors. Once we [received] the bid from different subcontractors, we got boots on the ground [and began construction]. Since then it’s been day and night trying to put together and build the vision that your teachers, parents and local community put together.”
After breaking the ice on these projects, the architects were able to begin groundwork, which came with minor hiccups in the construction process.
“So once the [paperwork and meetings] all passed, that’s when things started [progressing] much quicker and architects and general contractors came in and made a game plan,” Turner said. “Dirt work took a long time because of weather and little issues like that, but then once we’re out of the dirt and concrete it’s gone up [quickly].”
While touring these new facilities, educators and faculty members started to look into the opportunities and various career paths they offer future Texas High students. Coinciding with these opportunities is the possibility of increasing the number of students entering the workforce and revitalizing enthusiasm in this generation’s attitude toward working after high school.
“Imagine all the kids in here working and the real-life experiences they will get to leave Texas high with and carry straight into the workforce so they can make a living,” Student Council and Leadership Teacher Susan Waldrep said. “I cannot wait to see what this building does to transform the community, because it’ll put in so many more people in the workforce.”
In addition to these possibilities, the buildings will allow teachers to expand on their current classes, all while simultaneously creating room for programs that are still in the works.
“So we have space for the programs we have now, but it’s all small. [Whereas] the classrooms here are big enough for that program to be in its own space now, instead of spread all through campus,” Turner said. “We also have opportunities for more as well. We have an architecture studio and manufacturing shop which we don’t have a program for, but all of those things are up and coming. It really contributes to what we can do as a CTE campus.”
Upon receiving the tour, attending CTE teachers are looking forward to all the new resources that they will have at their hands for the betterment of their classes, ultimately allowing them to provide in-depth lessons and hands-on experiences to the students who decide to take these courses.
“This space is what we needed for our classrooms and I think there’s going to be a lot of new stuff they’re going to be able to use. The students are going to get a lot of benefit from what these buildings offer them,” Robotics and Computer Science Teacher Mark Ahrens said. “I’m excited to have the space that I need to conduct some of the work that we do in [robotics and computer science], plus I’ll be able to perform some of the lessons that some of the students have been asking for, and be able to just take the new space and make it our own.”
During the last phases of the construction of both buildings, the district will be working to ensure the safety and functionality of the buildings that are nearing the completion of their development. Additionally, the district will begin the process of shifting existing CTE classes that are located on campus.
“What you’ll see during the final phases of construction is just details. So right before teachers start moving in, we’ll come in and do a checklist, making sure everything is done, nothing needs fixing and everything is running how it’s supposed to run,” Turner said. “You’ll see finished concrete outside driveways and painting on the sidewalks near the building’s completion.
