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Board approves design development for new ninth-grade center; construction documents to follow
Summary
Trustees approved design development for the ninth-grade center and authorized staff to proceed to construction documents and eventual GMP. Architecture firm Huckabee presented refined plans, including a competition gym, two-story media center, and a canopy connecting to the CTE building.
The Willis ISD board voted to approve the design development concept for the new ninth-grade center on June 9 and authorized staff to move into construction-document production, with a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) scheduled for presentation in November.
Carla Castillo, an architect with Huckabee, presented refinements to the schematic design including a site plan that links the new ninth-grade center to the existing campus and CTE facility via a covered canopy. The building will feature stacked academic wings on three floors, a two-story media center, a competition gym with elevated bleachers, and a dining commons overlooking the football field. The design team said it maximized natural daylight in classrooms and prioritized visual transparency for supervision and circulation.
Schedule and costs
Castillo said the district’s construction manager-at-risk, Gamma, is on board and provided an initial pricing estimate; if trustees approve tonight staff will begin construction documents immediately and return in November with a GMP. The design team is tracking a substantial-completion target in June 2027 and an occupied opening for fall 2027.
Design details and questions
The design uses brick to match existing campus material and introduces metal panels and a purple glazed brick accent at the main entry tie the new building to the Willis identity. The design team presented interior renderings showing a two-story media center, collaboration and small-group rooms, an LGI with operable partitioning for flexible assemblies, and a dedicated media/control room for the athletics area.
Trustees asked whether exterior finishes on the existing high school could be adjusted later so the new ninth-grade center and the front of the existing high school read as a cohesive whole; staff said that could be explored as a separate project but likely would not be part of the ninth-grade center construction.
Board action
Trustee Chad Jones moved to accept the superintendent’s recommendation to approve design development and proceed to construction documents; the motion was seconded by Coach Gary (Coach Gary is listed as the second in the meeting record). The motion passed 7–0.
Ending
Architects and the construction manager said they will continue design work and return with a GMP in November for final board approval before major construction steps.
