Friendswood ISD plans for Phase 2 of high school renovations

Several Friendswood ISD programs will be relocated next fall to accommodate renovations to Friendswood High School.

CBRE Project Manager LaJuan Harris presented an update on the proposed plans for Phase 2 of FHS bond project at the district’s Dec. 12 board of trustees meeting. This phase includes renovations to the band, choir, engineering, culinary and audiovisual program spaces.

The district budgeted nearly $62 million of 2020 bond funds for the high school renovations. The gym and performing arts center are scheduled to be completed in June, and building renovations are estimated to finish in December 2023, according to agenda documents.

Electrical and heating, ventilation and air conditioning upgrades will begin in June on the school’s main corridor and finish in July. The space will see power interruptions during that time. A small section of the school will not be affected by power interruptions and be used to store items that need to be in an air conditioned space.

Interior renovations will also begin in June and continue through December 2023. Areas under construction will be opened up while students move between classes but closed while students are in class, Harris said.

Band equipment will move to the existing gym in the fall, and the choir will move into the cafeteria. The theater program will move into the performing arts center as soon as it becomes available.

The culinary arts classes will use the existing Cline Elementary School building and will return to Friendswood High at the end of 2023 when the culinary space is completed. Equipment for engineering after-school programs will also be staged at the existing Cline Elementary. The district is considering setting up a bus to transport students to Cline Elementary for these programs, Harris said.