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Forney ISD announces expanded aquatics, golf and career spaces using 2019 bond savings
Summary
Forney ISD staff outlined plans to expand the district's aquatic and golf facilities and add career-focused learning spaces, funded by construction cost savings from 2019 bond projects, with phased openings through 2027.
Forney ISD staff announced plans to expand the district's aquatic training facility into a multi-use center that will add an extra pool, a dedicated practice area for the high school golf teams and new career-focused learning spaces, funded with construction cost savings from the district's 2019 bond projects.
A district staff member who presented the Forecast the Future of Education committee's recommendations described the facility as intended to grow swimming programs for all ages, provide a golf driving range with indoor simulators and a golf academy, and add gymnastics space and flexible second-floor learning areas. "This is a transformation, redefining education, entertainment, and family engagement for all ages," the staff member said.
The Forecast the Future committee, convened of students, parents, business leaders and educators, proposed a six-pillar framework focused on "future ready" skills: communication and collaboration; critical thinking and innovation; financial literacy and life readiness; academic and career preparedness; digital leadership and citizenship; and well-being and engagement. The presenter referenced Gallup research cited by the committee showing hope, well-being and engagement as major indicators of student success.
The district said the build-out will be phased over the next two years with the full facilities scheduled to open by fall 2027. The presenter said the additional pool will support learn-to-swim classes, second-grade water-safety instruction, the district's swim, dive and water-polo teams, and lifelong-programming such as senior water aerobics. The golf facilities will provide a practice range, pitch-and-putt and indoor simulators and will support a new golf academy and team practice.
The presenter said these additions are possible "through construction cost savings from the 2,019 bond projects," and framed the work as a reinvestment of bond savings into programs and facilities that expand academic and extracurricular opportunities. The presentation also highlighted district career pathways: cosmetology certificates earned in partnership with Trinity Valley Community College, dual-enrollment associate degrees, and vocational nursing and patient-care technician coursework as examples of workforce-ready programs in the district.
No formal vote or contract award for the expansion was recorded in the provided transcript excerpt; the remarks appear as a staff presentation and recommendation. The district gave a timeline for phased openings and said the facilities would support both student programs and community use.
The district's presenter emphasized measurement and accountability changes that would accompany the expansion: a local accountability system tracking milestones beyond state assessments to measure academic, career and personal growth. The Forecast the Future recommendations asked the district to focus on engagement, hope and well-being alongside traditional academic measures.
The district did not provide detailed construction budgets, contract awards, or vendor names in the excerpt. Specific project contracts, budget lines and procurement steps were not specified in the transcript segment provided.
Looking ahead, the district said the phased facility openings and expanded program offerings will roll out through the 2026'27 school year, with the district planning to use bond savings identified during 2019 projects to fund the work.
