Ysleta ISD unveils first bond projects to start construction in 2016

The Ysleta Independent School District unveiled which bond projects will be built first at a board meeting Monday. Voters approved a face-lift for the 100-year-old district this November by passing a $430.5 million bond.

Over the next five years, YISD will see about new 30 projects meant to upgrade schools. About eight of those will begin construction this year.

This spring, residents will start to see athletic improvements to all high schools. This includes turf on the football fields and lighting on the baseball fields.
Schools will have added security, and Riverside Middle School and Constance Hubert Elementary Schools will undergo repairs. These were chosen first because they can be completed in time for next school year, which starts in August.

Later this year, a number of schools will start construction for new additions, including new gyms and fine arts buildings.

Thomas Manor Elementary and Bel Air Middle school will also be completely rebuilt. Thomas Manor will be consolidated with Cadwaller Elementary. While Thomas Manor is being rebuilt, those students will join the Cadwaller population.

Bel Air will replace Ranchland Hills Middle and Hillcrest Middle. The district is currently working on a transition plan for students.

“The project list can’t change,” said superintendent Dr. Xavier De La Torre. “We won’t deviate from what we presented to our community. We even took a proclamation to the board, where they basically guaranteed there would be strict adherence to the project list. So the list is the list.”

The district wants to complete these projects quickly because if there’s any delay on these projects, inflation will bump up the cost of building materials. At the same time, the district says it can’t rush too many projects, which would overwhelm the construction market and make for shoddy work.

2016 Project list, estimated construction start date, and cost

Athletic improvements to all high schools: May 2, $18.86M District-wide security: June 13, $1.271M Riverside MS/Constance Hulbert ES repairs: June 13, $800K Parkland MS Renovation: Aug.1, $17.3M Eastwood Knolls IS Gym/Fine Arts: Aug. 15, $9.143M Bel Air MS New School: Oct. 15, $40.641 Rio Bravo MS/Ysleta MS Gym/Fine Arts/Life Cycle: Nov. 15, $10.9M Tierra Del Sol/Desertaire ES Cafeteria/Renovation: Oct. 15, $7.88M