Southwest ISD board hears progress reports; several schools near completion

Southwest Independent School District trustees received a multi-campus construction update at their July meeting, with presenters reporting that several renovation and addition projects are on schedule and some will be substantially complete before the start of the school year.

The district’s Basel addition and renovation is nearing final work, with classrooms, offices and the library occupied and only corridor flooring and gym striping remaining. Project presenters said August 1 has been set as the substantial completion date — about a month ahead of the contract schedule — and contingencies are likely to be returned to the district, though the exact dollar figure was “not specified.”

District contractors reported progress at multiple elementary campuses. Southwest Elementary’s contractor stated phase 1 is roughly 80% complete, phase 2 is substantially progressed, and overall the project is “around 50% complete.” Elm Creek Elementary was reported at roughly 21% complete overall, with phases 1 and 2 nearing completion (phase 1 cited at about 95% complete and phase 2 at about 85%). Creek Wall School of the Arts and Juan M. Alvarado Elementary also showed steady progress; presenters said Juan M. Alvarado was about 20–28% complete depending on which portions of the site were measured, with structural steel and underfloor plumbing among the ongoing tasks.

At the district administration and site-wide level, presenters said about 80% of the administration building work was complete as of late July. District staff also reported that a district-wide fencing project is in progress, with welded-wire and chain-link installations underway and ornamental fencing (“Ameristar”) starting to arrive. The district said it is aiming to have elementary campuses’ fencing in place by the first day of school and secondary campuses done by December, weather permitting.

Board members were shown photos of classrooms, libraries, corridors, gym floors and site work. Presenters noted routine follow-up tasks: furniture deliveries and installation, playground equipment installation, stripe painting and punch-list items. Staff reported that the child-nutrition freezer permit had been approved recently and that associated work will resume.

Why it matters: the district reported most instructional spaces are being completed in time for school opening, limiting operational disruption and reducing the need for temporary relocations. Remaining items — furniture, playground surfacing and exterior site finishes — could affect the timing of public access to outdoor play areas and full campus operations.

Implementation notes: trustees were invited to campus tours; one was scheduled after a board brown-bag on Aug. 5. Presenters repeatedly cautioned that photos provided were usually several days old and that progress was continuing.

Speakers quoted in this article are identified in the board’s meeting record and include the presenters listed below.