The project is one of several—spanning from tennis court expansions to the renovation of a Pflugerville historic landmark—that were progressed by PfISD trustees on May 16.
At the May 16 meeting, trustees approved the guaranteed maximum price for the Windermere consolidation plan. Costs for the school construction can come from the school’s voter-approved 2018 bond funds, according to David Vesling, executive director of facilities & support services for PfISD.
The total cost of the consolidation, including design and architecture costs, is budgeted at $12.63 million, according to Vesling.
“We have some contingencies built into this project,” Vesling told trustees. “We’re not going to overspend on this project.”
The board additionally approved preliminary plans to renovate the district’s historic Rock Gym with acoustic treatments and audio upgrades, a move the district hopes will allow the venue to diversify its programming options. No specific funding dollars have yet been approved for the project.
Rock Gym in 2012 was dedicated with a Texas Historical Marker by the Texas Historical Commission. The gym was constructed in 1934 as part of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Works Program Administration initiative, according to the school district’s website.
Later this month, the district expects to send out bids to add two new tennis courts to Connally High School. Vesling said May 16 that the high school is the only one in the district with less than 8 competitive tennis courts. Connally High School currently has six tennis courts.
The project has already been submitted to the city of Austin for approval, according to Vesling.
Trustees additionally approved renovations for accommodations for the PfISD Police Department and nursing staff at the Pflugerville Academic Center of Excellence. Vesling said the majority of funds related to this project will go to improvements for the police department. No specific funds have been allocated to this project yet.
Superintendent Doug Killian told trustees that the project will likely keep the police department in the building for the next decade.
“It is for the foreseeable future … I don’t see how we can move [the police department] out of there in the next 5 to 10 years,” Killian said.
Other news from PfISD
Bus driver wages set
PfISD Chief Operating Officer Ed Ramos told trustees that the district will start bus driver salaries for its upcoming in-house transportation department at $20 per hour.
"With that hourly rate we’re anticipating hiring experienced drivers," Ramos said.
Ramos in April said the PfISD Transportation Department will officially launch July 1 with its own fleet of 159 buses.
Connally High School to get JROTC program
Trustees on May 16 approved the establishment of an Army Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps, or JROTC, at Connally High School.
The budget for the JROTC program, set at $250,000, accounts for the salaries of two instructors, uniforms for 100 students and curriculum and equipment for the program, according to district officials.
