Renovations Ongoing at Aldine ISD, Cypresswood Elementary School Opens Fall 2015

Leaders support efforts to provide the best learning environment possible for students.

Board members Merlin Griggs Sr., Dr. Viola M. García, Rick Ogden and Steve Mead (l-r) visit Odom Elementary School. The campus is one of many to receive upgrades this year.

Upgrades and renovations will greet many students across the school district this fall. The [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]district hired Jacobs Engineering in the fall of 2014 to complete a facilities and technological assessment of all campuses. Throughout the process, AISD also worked with the educational facilities planning firm DeJONG-RICHTER, LLC. Based on their findings, the Board of Trustees approved many renovation projects across the district during the summer.

Without a doubt, students and families will notice several changes at Odom Elementary School. The 48-year-old school is among the campuses undergoing renovations. According to Principal Susan Perry, the historical building is receiving a new look.

There are dozens of projects underway at the campus. Workers have completed some renovations and others are near completion. Projects include gutting and renovating the bathrooms, and new flooring in the classrooms. Workers also provided millwork such as installing new cabinets in the classes. Other major renovations include new walls in temporary buildings and new roof work throughout the campus. Students will enjoy the new awnings between the building and temporary facilities. Odom has new flooring in the library and new air conditioning. To increase security, the campus now has a fence along the back of the school.

The campus is experiencing growth in student population. To handle the increase, Odom Elementary School also received two extra temporary buildings. New cement trenches are a welcomed renovation between the temporary buildings. Students will no longer have to worry about flooded walkways. The trenches will drain the water.

“Odom Elementary School is getting a facelift,” said Perry. “The campus has been in need of some modernization. The changes are making the campus a safer, more pleasant environment conducive to learning.

“I have grandparents that attended the school. And I have parents who went to school here. Now they have children attending. I can’t wait to see their faces when they see the improvements. I thank district leaders for ensuring our facilities support teaching and learning.”

Other schools getting much-needed renovations include Smith Academy, Francis Elementary School, Johnson Elementary School, Oleson Elementary School, Goodman Elementary School, Raymond Academy, and Orange Grove Elementary School. These are some of the oldest campuses. Orange Grove Elementary School is 68 years old. It is the oldest campus in AISD.

16 AISD Campuses Are Over 50 Years Old

Lane School — 82 (1933)
Anderson Academy — 74
Orange Grove Elementary School — 68
Aldine Middle School — 67
Carver High School — 61
Mendel Elementary School — 61
Francis Elementary School — 60
Aldine High School — 59
Bethune Academy — 57
Hambrick Middle School — 54
Oleson Elementary School — 54
Raymond Academy — 53
Drew Academy — 52
Worsham Elementary School — 52
Goodman Elementary School — 51
Stovall Middle School — 51

New cement trenches will keep walkways from flooding at Odom Elementary School.

School Board President Dr. Viola M. García says the changes were necessary. This gives students the best possible facilities to support teachers and student learning.

“The consensus on the board was clear,” said García. “We all agreed that the renovations and upgrades were highly needed. The students and teachers will benefit. They will enjoy being able to learn and work in improved school facilities.”

Francis Elementary School is one of the oldest campuses in AISD. The campus came in at No. 2 on Jacobs Engineering and DeJONG-RICHTER’s list of schools in high need of repairs and upgrades.

Odom ES has renovated bathrooms.

Students and staff at Francis had been experiencing the effects of timeworn infrastructure. The piping in two of the bathroom areas had issues and flooded into the classrooms. This was just one of the projects the district’s Facilities Planning and Construction Department handled this summer. The two bathrooms had major piping renovations. Workers also installed new walls and tiles. Principal Dana Stelly commented that students and families are already impressed with the bathrooms.

“We have had some parents and students stop by the campus,” said Stelly. “They were in awe of the new bathrooms. Most of the renovations to the campus are aesthetic improvements. But they really make the campus more inviting. The changes make this a place that students, parents and teachers can be proud of.”

The campus is undergoing many of the same renovations as Odom. Projects include new doors, fresh paint, new lighting, millwork and a new walkway with a non-slippery surface. Stelly is grateful for the changes.

Trustees look at the new walls.

Raymond Stubblefield isn’t new to Aldine folks. He served as principal at Stephens Elementary School for 10 years. Last spring, the Board named him principal of Smith Academy. He lauds the changes and renovations at the 49-year-old campus. The main focus of the work has been to the school’s interior.

“It basically looks like a new school,” said Stubblefield. “I know the entire community is grateful to the school board for the campus renovations. The updates will support our continuing efforts to drive the creation of a renewed learning environment.”

Several [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Board members recently toured Odom Elementary School to see the renovations. They will visit other campuses with major upgrade projects later in the fall.

Workers will complete renovations across the district before school starts Aug. 24.

Amid all the work this summer, AISD has one new campus ready to open this fall. Voters made Cypresswood Elementary School possible. They [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]approved the $365 million bond referendum in 2007. The campus has a total of 48 teachers and will house more than 800 students. Greenspoint Elementary School is set to open in fall 2016. It will be the last project using the 2007 bond funds. Both campuses are on the northern part of the district where most of the new student growth is occurring.

Aldine ISD’s student population has grown by 11,875 since 2006. The district currently has a population of nearly 70,000. The figure places AISD among the top 10 largest districts in Texas. Board members are [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]currently deciding on a plan to improve all schools and facilities.

“The Board’s big role is to ensure there is a well-laid plan for the future,” added García. “As Trustees, we act in the best interest of the whole district and the best interest for the students. We want Aldine to thrive. And we want students to have the best facilities, resources and programs available to succeed.”