Technology, transportation, a replacement school for Westwood Elementary and Bales Intermediate, and Friendswood High School athletic improvements were among the top priorities discussed at Friendswood ISD’s April 7 Citizen Advisory Committee meeting.

What you need to know

The CAC reviewed and tiered district priorities into three sections based on importance. The projects titled under Priority One total over $150 million, according to CAC documents.
Items that were listed under Priorities Two and Three include the following:
  • $67.8M: Westwood and Bales Elementary renovations, priority two
  • $15.2M: second phase of FHS athletic improvements, priority two
  • $6.9M: second phase of agriculture barn projects, priority two
  • $7.2M: administrative addition at annex building, priority three
  • $16.9M: new support services and bus barn, priority three
In total, all projects in the three priority categories are over $265 million, according to CAC documents.

The background

FISD’s CAC, which is composed of community members, parents, students, teachers and district officials, was formed in September to address facility and maintenance priorities.


Officials said priorities could eventually be addressed through a potential bond if the CAC deems it needed by the time meetings end in April.

If a bond is recommended by the CAC, Superintendent Thad Roher said it would most likely be brought to the board in time to call for a November bond election.

However, Roher also noted it would ultimately be the board’s decision to take on the CAC’s recommendation, which will be given after the CAC’s slate of meetings ends.

Diving in deeper


District officials for academics, finance and operations, athletics and career and technical education also discussed priorities at the CAC meeting.

For academics, priorities include the following:
  • Flexible and personalized learning spaces
  • Outdoor and nature-inspired spaces
  • Maker spaces, innovation labs and career pathway hubs
  • De-escalation areas or sensory rooms
For finance and operations, priorities include the following:
  • Cost-effective staffing
  • School security
  • Resource allocations, including upkeep with fire alarms, fencing, inspections, parking areas, etc.
  • Transportation, including replacing 10 school buses
  • Technology, including backup storage, instructional technology and replacements of camera and audio systems
For athletics, priorities include the following:
  • Locker, training, weight and multipurpose meeting room improvements
  • Baseball and softball turf replacement
  • Additional turf field
  • Cheer gym
  • Wresting, cheer and visitor locker rooms
For CTE, the main priority revolves around expanding the agriculture facility, according to CAC documents.

Stay tuned

The CAC will have take a facility tour at the agriculture barn at 6:30 p.m. April 16.


The last CAC meeting will be April 22 to analyze strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, as well as make a final decision before going to the board with a recommendation.

CAC meetings are closed to the public, but presentations and minutes can be found here.