“Every project that was passed under the bond is intended to give our students a safer environment to both learn and exercise their talents,” said Tammy Gray, Brownwood ISD (BISD) Bond Program Manager. The bond, which the community passed in May 2023, is a near sixty-million-dollar project that Gray is working to turn from concept to reality. “The bond was passed with ‘concept’ ideas. From that point, there is a lot of collaboration, planning, and design that must take place before a project is ready to be constructed. The more complex the project, the longer that process takes to ensure that Brownwood ISD gets a high-quality facility that meets both current and future needs.” Work began in August 2023 from the recently passed bond for BISD. As of April 1, 2024, several critical initiatives have been completed that directly impact the safety, well-being, and learning environment for BISD students and staff. “Every project in the bond has been started but they are all in different phases,” Gray said. “We wanted to structure the phased execution of all these projects in a way that resulted in the least disruption to our students, while also ensuring that we are wisely progressing in giving our faithful community partners all the upgrades that were promised in a timely manner.”
The auditorium seating at Coggin Intermediate has undergone a remarkable transformation. “We replaced the old seating with wider, more comfortable, and highly durable seats,” Gray said. These new seats not only enhance the aesthetics of the space but also provide optimal comfort for our students during performances and events. The auditorium also received vital accessibility upgrades to meet ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards.
The gym floors were replaced in all four elementary schools with state-of-the-art MONDO rubber flooring to create a resilient foundation for elementary physical activity. These floors feature an eight-millimeter shock absorption pad, offering extra protection to students and faculty during physical activities. “The surface is antibacterial and easy to clean, which also keeps our facilities sanitary and our students healthy,” Gray said. Students are currently enjoying these updated floors. The installation company has provided the district with an extended warranty for seam and patching repairs.
Security and safety projects were completed within weeks of the bond passing. Nearly 200 new cameras were strategically installed across all campuses. In order to ensure comprehensive surveillance coverage district-wide, the bond package allows for more security cameras to be installed as needed. Portable radios were purchased to enhance communication among staff. Speakers and call buttons now enhance emergency communication capabilities district-wide. This system allows zoned announcements to each campus, facilitating rapid responses during critical situations. Additional card access systems have been installed, ensuring controlled access to buildings. Security film now covers windows, meeting TEA Facility Standards. Where necessary, security fencing has been added to further safeguard BISD campuses. Comprehensive updates to emergency mapping provide accurate floor plans for each facility. This assists students, faculty, and emergency personnel in identifying proper egress routes during crises.
“The safety and security of our students was our number one priority, so those projects were started immediately after the bond was passed and will continue as new needs arise,” Gray said. “Our mindset going into each one of these projects is that the new facility or renovation must last at least twenty-five years and be able to adapt to growth. If a design or product selection does not meet that criteria, then we revisit and come up with a solution that will. We know the community entrusted a great deal of money to our district and we plan for it to be an investment they can be proud of. In addition, we are constantly looking at future maintenance costs. Our goal is to provide quality facilities that do not require expensive replacements and constant maintenance.”
The Bond Program continues to move forward with additional renovations for the middle school and high school gym locker rooms, the construction of a new indoor multi-purpose activity center at BHS, remodeled tennis courts, and improvements to the baseball and softball fields and Gordon Wood Stadium. This first phase of security, safety, and accessibility upgrades have already enhanced BISD campuses. These safety upgrades are a testament to our commitment to the well-being of our students and staff, making BISD the district of choice.
Additional photos of BISD Bond project progress can be viewed at https://www.brownwoodisd.org/bondprogress.
[Article by Sara Musgrave]
