Renovations are planned for the large courtyard sometime this year due to safety concerns and the desire to reduce costs. “We haven’t been given an official timeline for when it is supposed to start and end for any of the construction projects,” TWHS Principal, Dr. Landry said. The most detail he could provide was that the projects will likely begin this school year, and altogether, last roughly 12 months. TWHS is the oldest school in the district that has yet to be renovated, having been built in the mid-1990’s.
Though changes are clearly needed, there is still no exact plan yet. “As of right now, we are still in the scope of the design process,” Landry said. The design concepts include leveling the hills, adding a type of covering over three sections of the courtyard, cutting down certain trees, and replacing grass with Astroturf.
According to the administration, the leveled hills will prevent student injury from tripping over the uneven ground. Additionally, the courtyard currently acts as a lunchroom as well as a hallway, and that benefit is reduced during rain or excessive heat. A cover would allow use of the space more often. As for the grass and trees, the natural landscape requires frequent expensive maintenance.
“We’re starting to lose trees to drought,” Landry said. He also mentioned some of the trees being diseased, meaning some of the natural landscape already needs removal. Most other high schools in the district are switching to Astroturf in their courtyards to reduce costs. Despite TWHS also making this switch, the district wants to preserve as much greenery as possible.
However, the construction required to make this change would close off the courtyard. “When the construction starts in the courtyard there will be a construction wall covering all the doors into the courtyard,” Landry said. Those who utilize the space for lunches and during passing periods would have to find alternative places to eat or walk. This may cause traveling between certain classes to become more difficult in the given seven minutes, but administration will hopefully be able to work with students and staff to accommodate those impacted by these changes.
There will be additional renovations besides those in the courtyard. These include replacing the flooring on every story, down to the bus ramp, in the cafeteria, and through the atrium. CISD also plans on remodeling the auditorium and fine arts spaces, as well as replacing minor infrastructure, such as air conditioning.
All of the decisions about the renovations are planned to be made by the CISD administration, and paid for with bond money from last November.
