Frisco ISD board of trustees approved the maximum price of $85.7 million for Memorial High School, the 10th high school in the district. The maximum price approved is $5.3 million less than the original estimated price of $91 million. “We are extremely pleased with the cost of this project and look forward to seeing another outstanding high school being built to serve the community,” Superintendent Jeremy Lyon said. Construction is expected to begin on the new high school in September. The high school, located north of Eldorado Parkway and west of Preston Road, will serve about 2,100 students. It is expected to open in 2017 as the fourth new high school in FISD in four years. The project is being moved up a year because of FISD’s fast growth, according to district officials. “It’s been an incredible growth and we’re excited have this project started,” Board President Anne McCausland said. Memorial High school was one of the many schools approved by voters in the bond program in 2014.

New middle school design

Steve Hulsey and Brent Kelley of Corgan Associates, the architecture firm working with the district, presented a preview of a potential new standard design for FISD middle schools. The new design could begin with Lawler Middle School, set to open in 2017. One aspect that is different in the design is the additional special education suite. The architects also added more natural light by adding more windows to the entrance of the school. The design was created to meet any potential building codes the city of Frisco may set. The schools would also have the potential to be more energy efficient by utilizing solar power. Board did not approve new design, saying the board members would like to have more time to review it.