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ISD 622 board approves $41.1 million package to expand and renovate Cowherne Elementary
Summary
The ISD 622 school board voted to allocate remaining bond and facilities-maintenance funds to add classroom capacity and upgrade infrastructure at Cowherne Elementary; the board approved a resolution to begin design work and schedule construction spanning 2025–2027.
The Independent School District 622 school board on Jan. 28 approved a resolution to allocate up to $24,600,000 in unspent general obligation school building bond proceeds and up to $16,500,000 in future general obligation facilities maintenance bonds to expand and renovate Cowherne Elementary School. The motion passed by voice vote after staff described a conceptual two‑story addition and infrastructure replacements.
District Director of Operations Sarah Galliette told the board the district has accumulated restricted construction funds from the 2019 voter‑approved building bond and from favorable bid results and interest earnings. Galliette said the Cowherne project would add classroom capacity to balance enrollment with nearby Richardson and Castle elementary schools, improve building systems (heating, cooling, electrical and plumbing), expand kitchen and serving lines, and provide additional parking and modernized learning spaces. She described the design as a two‑year construction schedule that would begin design immediately and put work out for bid later this year so construction could proceed in 2026 and conclude in 2027.
Galliette said the district would use school building bond savings already on hand for the addition and would program the site’s deferred maintenance and mechanical replacements in the district’s multi‑year facilities plan and long‑term facilities maintenance (LTFM) bond schedule.
Board members voted to approve the resolution after a motion moved by Livingston and seconded by Swar; the vote was taken by voice and recorded as approved. The resolution authorizes staff to proceed with design and procurement under the funding limits stated in the motion.
Why this matters: Galliette said Cowherne is among the district’s smaller elementary schools and that a carefully scoped addition would allow the site to operate more efficiently by supporting four sections per grade rather than three. The project would also complete overdue infrastructure work in a compact schedule rather than spreading repairs as deferred maintenance over many years, she said.
What the board approved: The resolution allocates up to $24.6 million in unspent school building bond proceeds and up to $16.5 million in future facilities maintenance bonds for the Cowherne expansion and renovation, and directs staff to move into design and contractor selection under the district’s normal procurement rules.
Next steps: If design proceeds as planned, the district expects to bid the project later in 2025 and begin construction in summer 2026; timing, scope and final cost will be refined during the design phase. Galliette advised the board that parts of the work (playground replacement, for example) would be staged to maintain student access and that the addition would be built first to provide swing space for interior renovations.
Funding and limitations: Galliette emphasized the funds are restricted construction dollars and cannot be used for general operating expenses. The board did not amend operating budgets as part of the vote.
Board and staff present for the discussion included Director of Operations Sarah Galliette and Superintendent Tucci Osorio. The motion was moved by Livingston and seconded by Swar and approved by voice vote.
