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Northside trustees approve schematic design for John Marshall High School renovation
Summary
The Northside ISD Board of Trustees on March 25 approved a schematic design to replace aging administrative and classroom buildings at John Marshall High School, add parking and improve traffic flow; work will move to construction documents and a phased build.
The Northside Independent School District Board of Trustees on March 25 approved the schematic design for renovations and additions at John Marshall High School, authorizing staff to advance the project into construction documents and pricing.
The schematic design, developed under the district’s 2022 bond program, calls for demolition of two original campus buildings (Buildings A and C), construction of a two‑story administrative and classroom addition of roughly 22,000 square feet, about 190 new parking spaces, intersection improvements along Eckert Road and upgraded perimeter fencing. The board voted to move the design forward after discussion; Trustee Freeman moved to accept the schematic design and Trustee Salcedo seconded. The motion passed by voice vote.
The schematic is intended to replace aging, late‑1940s/1950s buildings and to link the new addition to the district’s previously completed Law and Medical Services (LMS) building. "Buildings A and C have certainly served their life," said Raul Yanez, the Pflueger Architects lead on the project. "We will construct a new administrative suite and art classrooms, and provide parking and intersection improvements to help clean up the front entry from a traffic standpoint." He added the design intentionally maintains the campus’s existing architectural language so the new work appears cohesive with older buildings.
Superintendent Dr. Brian Kraft said the design was developed with campus leadership and department heads and that the project will move to construction documents and a guaranteed maximum price once the schematic is accepted. "This schematic design was developed in conjunction with the department heads that are impacted as well as the campus administration," Kraft said. The project is anticipated to be delivered in at least two construction packages: one to prepare the site and demolish buildings and a second to build the new facilities. Board and staff said they expect to begin site work this summer, with a target of substantial completion near the end of next summer.
Trustee Freeman, who said Marshall is her alma mater, noted the campus courtyard and existing oaks are important to preserve. "I love how you're working with us to preserve the...heart of John Marshall," she said. Architects said the courtyard will be temporarily impacted during construction but restored when the project is complete.
Project details presented to the board included a demolition footprint of roughly 27,000 square feet and an approximate new‑building footprint of 22,000 square feet; the design also reconfigures library and corridor circulation to reduce a problematic dead‑end corridor, and relocates or rebuilds art labs and support spaces on the second floor of the addition. Staff said some transient campus activities (for example, the Los Leonis festival) may need temporary relocation during construction.
Next steps: staff will proceed to construction documents, refine the schedule and return to the board for contract awards and guaranteed maximum price amendments. Construction sequencing will be coordinated with campus administration to protect student safety and maintain campus operations during work.
