Wichita Falls ISD reviews feasibility study to convert McNeil to an 800‑student elementary

Christine Wood, a consultant on the facilities feasibility study, told the Wichita Falls Independent School District Board of Trustees that consultants believe McNeil can be repurposed into an elementary school sized for about 800 students and that converting the existing building would cost a fraction of building a new elementary.

The study, conducted with district staff and outside engineers, recommends a conceptual program that would accommodate seven sections each of kindergarten through fourth grade, six sections of fifth grade and two pre‑kindergarten rooms, with grade‑level “pods,” dedicated kindergarten/pre‑K outdoor access, and two “specials” suites (art, music, PE, library) to serve a larger student population. Christine Wood said the design team also identified two existing locker‑room areas as candidate hardened spaces that could be retrofitted into storm shelters or dual‑use…