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Board refocuses $5.9 million Broad Estates allocation into MLK, Plantation and Early Learning Center; asks staff to prioritize within that cap
Summary
The board directed that $5.9 million tied to Broad Estates be used within a three-school ecosystem (MLK Elementary, Plantation Elementary and Broad Estates Early Learning Center) and later asked staff to ensure allocations remain within the $5.9 million cap.
During debate on reallocation of a $5.9 million funding package originally tied to Broad Estates, the board voted to keep those funds within a three-school ecosystem and then asked staff to finalize scopes so the total does not exceed $5.9 million.
Dr. Holness asked that the Smart-bond‑era $5.9 million remain within the Broad Estates ecosystem and proposed specific projects at Doctor MLK Elementary (covered walkways, a playground relocation for grades 3-5, HVAC controls, stormwater and resurfacing) and Plantation Elementary (covered walkways, restroom renovation, HVAC/campus accessibility). For Broad Estates Early Learning Center he asked remaining funds be used for HVAC repairs and interior painting/wall repairs. The superintendent and staff provided project-level cost estimates for those items during the meeting.
Board members raised questions about historic context for nearby Addicks Middle School and Mary Bethune Elementary and community sensitivity to combining campuses. Valerie Wanda, chief strategy and innovation officer and district historian, told the board Addicks was "one of the district's three historically black high schools" and that community opposition has previously been strong when K-8 consolidation was proposed.
Separately, the board approved a motion to add $1.7 million for Sunrise Middle School (to be reflected in the DEFP amendment); staff said that allocation had been approved previously and would be placed into the next amendment. After approving initial allocations to the three-site ecosystem, the board then directed the superintendent to finalize priorities and ensure the plan remains within the promised $5.9 million to the Broad Estates community; the board approved that directive unanimously.
Board members emphasized the need to consult communities and noted that the Facilities Condition Assessment (FCA) and the ongoing redefining process would inform final recommendations.
