At the Nov. 18 regular meeting, the KISD board of trustees approved two construction projects totaling $5.6 million
For one project, KISD will replace and upgrade outfield fencing, backstop wall and safety netting at the Cinco Ranch, Morton Ranch and Seven Lakes high schools baseball fields; upgrade and replace the safety netting at the three campuses’ softball fields; and upgrade the field lighting at Morton Ranch and Seven Lakes High schools.
For a total cost of $3.1 million, the project will be paid for using 2017 bond savings, according to meeting documents. The contract was awarded to Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based Brown and Root Industrial Services LLC.
Construction for the outfield fencing is expected to be completed before the first home games at each campus, per the documents. The remaining project work will then begin when the 2019-20 baseball and softball seasons are over.
The project is expected to be completed before Aug. 1, per the documents.
Additionally, the board approved another project to replace the synthetic athletic field turf at Mayde Creek High School, Seven Lakes High School and Rhodes Stadium for a total project cost of $2.5 million. This project will be paid with 2017 bond funds and 2017 bond savings, according to meeting documents.
Construction on the fields is expected to start Jan. 20 and be substantially complete by May 20, per the documents. The contract was awarded to Austin-based Hellas Construction Inc.
New principal
Cinco Ranch Junior High School will have a new principal starting in January.
KISD board of trustees approved the appointment of Fielder Elementary School Principal Mona Salinas at the Nov. 18 meeting as the new leader of the junior high. She replaces the current principal, who is retiring, Superintendent Ken Gregorski said.
According to the school’s website, Elizabeth Nicklas is CRJH's principal.
Other positions Salinas has held in KISD include an assistant principal at CRJH and assistant principal at Jo Ella Exley Elementary School, according to a district press release. She has 20 years of public education teaching and administration experience.
Gregorski said the district is working to find a new principal for Fielder Elementary School.
“Please know we will be actively searching—for those Fielder folks out there—we’re going to find you somebody extra special to fill [Salinas’] shoes,” he said.
