Board reviews schematic design for Tomball Intermediate replacement, targets August 2028 opening
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Summary
Designers presented schematic plans for a two-story Tomball Intermediate replacement at FM 2920/2978 featuring on-site parent and bus queuing, a central library spine, courtyards, and safety-focused circulation; trustees asked about grade separation, green space, parking and schedule.
Design partners presented the schematic design for the Tomball Intermediate replacement and told the board the district is targeting an August 2028 opening. The site is located at the corner of FM 2920 and FM 2978; designers said the layout brings parent and bus queuing onto site using a new 'innovation drive' to keep traffic off public rights-of-way.
The building is planned as a two-story intermediate school to fit a tighter site; designers proposed placing science labs on the second floor, using a central main spine for visibility and monitoring, and color-coding program areas (administration, academic spaces, library, fine arts, gym and dining). The design includes secure, fenced courtyards, translucent roof panels over the main spine, and glazed connections between indoor and outdoor dining/cafeteria areas to improve sight lines and supervision.
Trustees questioned how fifth and sixth grades would be separated; designers said the district could place fifth grade on the first floor and sixth on the second, or split wings north/south for flexibility, but science labs must remain on the second floor. Board members pressed for clearer green-space dimensions and encouraged the project team to compare courtyard size and play space to recently built intermediate campuses; designers committed to providing scaled comparisons during design development.
Trustees also discussed parking and buffering from FM 2978. Designers explained that site orientation and parking location were chosen to create a buffer from the busy roadway, protect queuing, and meet City of Tomball parking requirements while ensuring adequate bus turning radiuses. The board sought additional input from campus staff (librarians and principals) during the next design phase to confirm operational details.
The district said more detailed drawings and measurements will arrive during design development and construction-document phases; project managers and LAN will continue work on bond 2025 projects and provide refined layouts and comparisons to West Intermediate School as requested.