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Education
McAllen Independent School District Progresses with Major Construction Projects Throughout System
The new Thigpen-Zavala Elementary School was constructed as a replacement facility for two previous elementary schools. The structure was completed through a bond issued for the McAllen Independent School District.
It has been all about reading‚ writing and new roofs for the McAllen Independent School District ever since a $97.85 million bond was passed in 2005.
A total of 11 major construction projects were scheduled for the McAllen ISD once voters agreed to the bond‚ and six of those projects were completed in time for the start of the 2007-08 school year. They included four new elementary schools opening their doors.
One of the new schools – Fields Elementary – has replaced the old Fields school that was 60 years old. Another new campus – Thigpen-Zavala Elementary – replaces both the old Thigpen and Zavala schools.
Also opening in time for the 2007-08 school year were Sanchez Elementary and Perez Elementary schools‚ both located in the north area of McAllen. In addition‚ two old wings were torn down at Navarro Elementary School in order to add 18 new classrooms.
“The students at Navarro have entered what is essentially a whole new school‚” says Mark May‚ community information director with the McAllen ISD.
Meanwhile‚ McAllen High School has expanded by constructing a new wing onto its existing building‚ resulting in the addition of eight classrooms.
“The building matches very well‚” says Kevin Hitchcock‚ bond project manager with Jacobs Facilities Inc.‚ the company that is overseeing all construction. “The new wing looks like it has always been there.”
In October 2007‚ work was completed on a new gymnasium at Lincoln Middle School‚ while construction began in September 2007 on a yet-to-be-named elementary school that will be located on Ware Road and Flamingo Avenue in north McAllen. It will be ready in August 2008‚ and the brand new Fossum Middle School will also open at that time.
Another big project taking place is replacing the heating/air-conditioning unit at Memorial High School‚ while construction also has begun on a new building to house the district’s central kitchen as well as all maintenance operations.
“All 11 of these major projects will be completed before school begins in 2008‚” May says.
Story by Kevin Litwin
Photo by Wes Aldridge
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