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El Campo ISD board approves first phase of 2025 bond for Hutchins campus; plan described as tentative
Summary
Trustees voted to approve the first phase of the bond-funded Hutchins campus project after a presentation of a tentative site and floor plan. The plan includes three new science labs, 12 classrooms in two grade bands, special education spaces, a 500'600-seat assembly-capable gym and expanded office and nurse spaces; trustees asked for more detail,
The El Campo Independent School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously Sept. 24 to approve the first phase of construction under the district's 2025 bond, authorizing staff to move forward with the tentative Hutchins campus plan described by architects and the district's facilities team.
District staff and the architect (Park Hill) briefed trustees on the development process since the bond passed in May: the district solicited an architectural/engineering firm and a construction manager at-risk (the board approved those contracts in June and July), contracted geotechnical and systems consultants, and engaged teacher focus groups and the facilities committee to develop the programming.
Staff summarized key elements of the current tentative plan for Hutchins: three larger science labs in the south end (created by converting four existing classrooms into three larger labs plus storage), 12 instructional classrooms in the portions of the building described as not in the scope (built in 2014), 12 additional classrooms in the new blue area on the plan for two different grade bands, dedicated special education spaces (life skills, behavior and resource classrooms), an art room, music room, intervention and ISS spaces, and a central office suite for the principal, two assistant principals and two counselors.
The proposed gym was described as re-sited, with seating for roughly 500 to 600 people; staff said bleachers would be placed on the floor for assemblies and sound baffling and an upgraded sound system were planned. The cafeteria and the 2014 wing were shown as not in scope for this phase. Staff said the plan keeps classrooms on the exterior and locates administrative and specialty spaces centrally so building circulation serves music, art and science without long transitions.
Trustees raised implementation questions including parking near the gym and event entrance logistics, whether the existing pine trees on Empire Street would survive construction, and hallway widths; staff said architects and Park Hill would refine the site plan and surface parking as needed in later drawings. Staff also noted classrooms meet required minimums for square footage and described an enlarged nurse's office (about 400 sq. ft.) and students-per-class planning.
Staff emphasized the plan is not final and said Park Hill will adjust designs based on trustee feedback; the facilities committee members named in the meeting were listed as having reviewed the plan during development. The motion to approve the first phase of the bond construction for Hutchins was made by Mister Dubrak and seconded by Mister Canel; trustees voted unanimously to approve the phase as presented.
