Board approves construction documents for Southwest Legacy High School addition after design review

The Southwest ISD Board of Trustees approved construction documents for an addition to Southwest Legacy High School, allowing the district to proceed to construction bidding on the project.

Architects representing Bluger (presentation led by Thomas and Roland) said the construction-document package continues the schematic-plan program: a two-story classroom addition with 22 general classrooms, a choir/fine-arts suite, support spaces, a security resource officer office and exterior canopy at the welding shop. The architects said the addition is designed to match existing brick and architectural language so the new work integrates visually with the existing campus.

Design discussion focused on interior collaboration spaces. The design team presented two options: maintain several furnished collaboration zones on the first and second floors, or remove the collaboration furniture/finish and provide wider corridors instead. The architects said removing the collaboration furniture and glass wall boards reduces cost; the district noted the project is currently over budget and asked the design team to provide cost differences for flooring, furniture and related finishes so trustees can decide. The architects also reviewed a ventilation item for a cosmetology lab and said a low-cost supplemental ventilation option is available if needed.

Board members asked to receive cost comparisons and return the item to the subcommittee for a February review of budget impacts and finish decisions. After the presentation and brief questions, a trustee moved to approve the construction documents as submitted; the board approved the motion by voice vote.

The administration will continue subcommittee-level cost refinement on collaboration-space finishes and bring pricing back to the board before final contract award.