What’s happening?
The Allen ISD board of trustees approved a total cost of $58.4 million for renovations to the school during a Dec. 15 meeting. The project, designed by VLK Architects and managed by Balfour Beatty will update mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems while improving areas such as the cafeteria, library and administrative offices.
Renovations will be funded by the 2024 bond proposal, which includes more than $320 million for renovations to multiple schools across the district.
Assistant Superintendent Brent Benningfield said the renovation project will bring a “massive redesign of the building” that officials have been planning for over a year.
About the project
Renovations could start as soon as April once the construction contract is finalized, according to a Dec. 15 Allen ISD board agenda. Construction will occur in phases, Benningfield said.
Construction will start with the auxiliary gym before moving onto the cafeteria, library and administrative wing in the summer. The school’s academic wings and other areas will follow in a rotating schedule.
Portable classrooms will be used during active construction to minimize disruption. Renovations will include a complete redesign of the building’s main entry and front office while adding new features such as flexible collaborative spaces and enhanced special education areas.
Construction is expected to conclude by the beginning of the 2027-28 school year, according to the board agenda.
Quote of note
Board Vice President Bill Parker said renovations made to schools such as Curtis Middle School can help improve its efficiency while also refreshing the building.
“I think in the end run—while the cost of renovation is there and it’s high—I think we do get ongoing returns with the efficiencies that are in there,” Parker said.
How we got here
Renovations to the middle school were first recommended by a long-range facilities planning committee in 2023, Chief Communications Officer David Hicks said. It was later added to the school district’s 2024 bond proposal through the Project Kids Citizen Bonds Committee.
Voters approved two bond proposals totaling more than $442 million in November 2024.
- Proposition A: $419.1 million
- Full renovations at multiple schools
- Mechanical, electrical and plumbing work at multiple schools
- Roofing and waterproofing work at multiple schools
- Concrete and foundation repairs at multiple schools
- Proposition C: $23.1 million
- Update computers used by students and staff at all campuses
Work is ongoing to construct a new multipurpose complex and renovate the existing Allen ISD Activity Center, Hicks said.
“There’s a number of projects that are constantly in a flux of ongoing or completed and then they move on to that next [project],” he said.
