Manor ISD facilities advisory committee urges bond-scale fixes to address growth, $34M backlog of deferred maintenance

A 18-member Manor ISD Facilities Advisory Committee presented the board with a prioritized list of facility needs and a recommendation that the district plan for large-scale capital work to address both rapid enrollment growth and a backlog of deferred maintenance.

The committee — chaired by Keelan G. Morgan and with Michelle Anderson as committee secretary — spent five meetings and compiled a report that administration said will be converted into detailed dollar estimates for the board to consider. Administration said those figures will be presented to trustees before an August discussion and that a bond election would likely be required to fund major capital projects.

“Over the past two and a half months, the committee has worked tirelessly, hard, and in concert with Manor Independent School District staff and other facilitators to reach the recommendations that we'll present to you today,” Keelan G. Morgan said while introducing the committee’s work.

The committee reported a current deferred capital renewal backlog of about $34,200,000 and warned that, if no action is taken, the backlog could grow to an estimated $133,500,000 by 2030. The committee also highlighted district growth: it reported 10,061 students as of Jan. 30 and said the district contains 11 active subdivisions and 23 planned subdivisions; the committee said more than 1,000 lots are under groundwork and 132 lots were delivered in the second quarter.

Campus utilization data showed several elementary schools approaching or at capacity: Lagos Elementary was cited at about 96 percent capacity with projections placing it at capacity in the 2027–28 school year; Shadow Glen and Presidential Meadows were also noted as areas likely to face near-term overcrowding. The committee recommended a range of responses, including boundary adjustments, temporary portables, modernization of existing facilities, additions to campuses and conversion of Wild Horse into a K–5 elementary.

The committee’s top priorities (presented as a ranked list) included: 1) funding all life-cycle capital renewal projects; 2) renovations and upgrades at Bluebonnet Trail Elementary; 3) expanding Manor New Tech High School to serve 1,000–1,200 students; 4) adding a wing to Manor Senior High School to create a true 9–12 campus; and 5) renovations and upgrades to Decker Elementary. The committee noted that Shadow Glen and Presidential Meadows remain concerns and could require near-term action despite not rising to the top of the priority ladder.

Administration and the committee outlined next steps: district staff will produce detailed cost estimates and recommended phasing for the board; trustees were told the estimated bonding capacity under current law is roughly $325 million (administration presented this figure as an estimate and said it would provide more precise numbers with the district’s financial advisor). Superintendent Dr. Sarmani told the board administrators will return to the board with dollar amounts and recommended timing; staff signaled the board could discuss a bond resolution on Aug. 4 and noted Aug. 22 is the statutory deadline to call a November election.

Ending: The board thanked committee members for their time and pledged further review; administration said it will provide formal cost estimates and a proposed timeline for board consideration before August.