Board pauses Howard project to advance junior school design; bond construction progresses across district

The Alamo Heights Board of Trustees heard on Sept. 17 that the district will pause the Howard Early Childhood Center project and instead advance the junior school design while preserving funds to support both projects.

"We're gonna put Howard on the bench for now, and, tackle, the junior school," a building committee member reported, saying the junior school project is more complicated because it connects to an existing structure and requires careful funding to support both campuses. The committee cited the need to ensure funds are available for both projects before moving forward with Howard.

Superintendent (name provided during the meeting) updated trustees on bond construction across the district. He said the North Wing is the furthest along, with roofing, windows, sheetrock and technology wiring in progress; Cambridge Elementary is undergoing First Floor renovation in Building 3 with demo complete and HVAC, electrical and plumbing work underway; the central plant behind Cambridge is undergoing weekend power shutdowns to complete demolition work; and the Alamo Heights Athletic Complex at Robbins has exterior locker‑room block walls finished and steel rafters being set. Tennis‑court resurfacing is scheduled to begin Sept. 29, and bids are being prepared for tennis shade covers.

On the proposed new central office and community center, the superintendent said the district chose the lot where the Colony House once stood for the building site and described plans for a "Mule Plaza" green space between facilities. "I can't tell you how excited I am with that," the superintendent said of the design meetings for the community center and central office.

Trustees did not record a public vote on the project sequencing at the board meeting; the building committee reported the change as part of its committee update. District staff and the building committee will continue design work and funding planning for the junior school and Howard projects as part of the district's bond program.