The details
The new San Marcos CISD campus building is expected to be completed June 2026 in order to open for the August 2026-27 school year, as previously reported by Community Impact.
Demolition of the old Mendez building would begin in the summer of 2026 and be completed by November 2026.
SMCISD board president Anne Halsey said the new school site will create better learning outcomes for students.
“This groundbreaking is not just about bricks and mortar—it’s about opportunity,” she said during the ceremony. “It’s about ensuring that our children learn in safe, modern spaces designed to inspire curiosity, creativity, and confidence.”
Mendez Elementary principal Kristina Woody said she is excited for the new school to house the district’s continued efforts bridging elementary to high school learning, such as through Dual Language programs, athletics, fine arts and more.
“We can’t wait for a building that is made for all the ways we have grown in our practices for kids,” she said.
The cost
The new Mendez building is part of a 2023 bond project. The campus replacement project was originally estimated to be over $73.5 million but came in under the overall budget at $58.1 million, as previously reported by Community Impact.
The approved guaranteed maximum price of $58.1 million includes construction manager and owner contingencies, as well as a $250,000 tariff contingency for potential increased costs in materials.
One more thing
The building is named after Irene K. Mendez, a former SMCISD Dual Language teacher who served in the district for 28 years, officials said.
The current campus opened in 1969 and operated as various campuses, such as Goodnight Middle School. The facility was established as Mendez Elementary in 2009. The district later decided to construct a new campus through the 2023 bond due to the aging infrastructure.
The project is designed by Perkins and Will, and Core Construction will work on the construction phase.
