Last May, KISD voters approved two propositions totaling $895.3 million—the largest bond in district history. Proposition A allocated $843.8 million to address growth and capacity challenges through facility improvements, while Proposition B allocated $51.5 million for classroom technology.
Propositions C and D—which were not approved—would have allocated $141 million to build a district events center, and $75.2 million to build a second stadium and renovate Klein Memorial Stadium, respectively.
“We’re so thankful to our community for their support of the 2022 bond, and one of our commitments and expectations as a board is that we continue to provide transparent updates to the community on the progress that we’re making with the funds that have been entrusted to us,” KISD Superintendent Jenny McGown said during the March 6 board meeting.
As part of Proposition A, renovations and expansions at Klein Collins, Klein Cain and Klein Oak high schools; Kleb, Doerre and Hildebrandt intermediate schools; and Northampton Elementary School will begin first with an estimated completion by August 2024.
However, district officials noted supply chain issues and inflation continue to be an ongoing challenge.
Campus improvements
During the March 6 board meeting, August Wunderlich, KISD’s associate superintendent of facility and school services, detailed the seven campuses that would be under construction first, in addition to all safety- and security-related bond projects, which have either already been completed or are underway.
“The Klein ISD school board prioritized all projects relating to safety and security to ensure that all students, staff and visitors would continue to be protected in the best possible way,” Wunderlich said.
According to the presentation, two new two-story 20,000-square-foot building additions will be added to Klein Cain, featuring 24 new classrooms with the capacity to accommodate 1,000 students. The project also includes 144 new parking spaces.
Renovations at Klein Oak will include the closure of the breezeway between the theater and front entrance as well as the addition of an enclosed, secure vestibule with a designated visitor and student entrance. The project will also add 22 instructional classrooms and a college and career center, enhance special education classrooms, and add exterior building signage.
Dance and gym additions will be constructed at Klein Collins.
At both Kleb and Doerre intermediate schools, secure vestibules and single-canopy entrances will be added as well as fine arts and gym facilities. The projects will also include additional security cameras and renovations to both campuses’ front offices, clinics, and Parent Teacher Organization and Professional Learning Community rooms.
Both Hildebrandt Intermediate and Northampton Elementary will undergo total renovations.
Improvements at Hildebrandt will also add a road leading from the campus to access Klein Oak’s softball and baseball fields, security cameras and increased carpool line access. Temporary buildings will be on-site while construction is ongoing.
At Northampton, improvements will also include additional security cameras, collaborative learning pods in all secure grade level areas, and increased parking lot spaces and carpool access.
During construction, Northampton students and staff will be housed at a new temporary KISD Flex School, upon which construction began in March. Located between Krimmel Intermediate and Mueller Elementary, the completely enclosed, modular campus will later house other elementary schools going through complete renovations.
Each of these projects had gone out for bid as of March 29. District officials said no cost estimates would be released until the bid process is complete and a contractor has
been selected.
Inflation, supply chain challenges
During the March 6 meeting, Wunderlich said ongoing supply chain issues have tripled the delivery time on certain items, such as mechanical equipment, electrical gear and generators, safety and security control panels, and fire alarm panels.
“We’re having the same problems that the whole community is having, so we’re doing our best to make those things work and still put together packages that are best for the students,” Wunderlich said.
However, Wunderlich noted the overall bond timeline should not be significantly impacted by these external factors due to proactive measures being taken by project teams.
“All bond projects are currently estimated to be completed by the 2027-28 school year,” he said.
Wunderlich also said inflation has increased the cost of each bond project by approximately 30% from the cost projections that were established in May 2022.
“No bond projects are set to be cut from the initial bond plan at this time,” Wunderlich said.
If all four propositions had passed, district officials projected a possible tax rate increase of $0.03 per $100 valuation. However, as only Propositions A and B were approved, KISD officials no longer project a tax rate increase associated with the 2022 bond.
