“This is just one of the greatest symbols of togetherness in a community that I can say that is an embarkment of when people want to commit their resources to improving their community, there's no better way to show that than passing the bond,” said Superintendent Lamond Dean.

From its economic development to improvements in infrastructure, the city of Tyler has seen major growth in population. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has experienced double-digit growth over the past four decades.

In addition to growing businesses and expansion throughout the community, local school districts are seeing the rise in their classrooms as well. Both Tyler ISD and Chapel Hill ISD addressed these concerns by proposing bonds during the 2023 May elections to expand and update their facilities. Smith County voters approved both proposals.

Tyler ISD

In May 2022, the Tyler ISD voters approved an $89 million bond that provided for the construction of new campuses for Hubbard Middle School and Early College High School. Both campuses are mere months away from full operation.

“We are excited about the progress at the Early College High School and Hubbard Middle School construction sites,” said Tim Loper, Tyler ISD’s Director of Facilities Services.

The bond proposal was developed by the administration to address a growing number of students in Tyler ISD, as well as the aging buildings and increase safety and security. The proposal did not include an increase of tax rates.

Early College High School

The Early College High School will be located next door to the Tyler ISD Career and Technology Center on Earl Campbell Parkway.

The new building will have a student capacity of at least 650, with the cafeteria to be shared with the CTC students.

According to Cherie Jones, construction project manager for Early College High School, construction has progressed as scheduled.

“Furniture has been installed,” she said, “and the interior and exterior are completing final punch items.”

The final cleaning has been performed on the interior and the food service area is ready for final inspection.

According to Tyler ISD, the new building meets or exceeds all energy/building codes, ADA, TEA, and UIL requirements. There are also updated safety and security features and designated parking areas. The projected cost was $26 million.

Hubbard Middle School

The new Hubbard Middle School is a replacement of the 55-year-old campus, similar to the 2013 Boulter, Moore, and Three Lakes projects. The current site is designed to exact specifications as other middle schools and will have a 1,200 student capacity.

The new facility will have a number of updated safety and security features, as well as an improved traffic flow and designed parking areas.

“Crews at Hubbard Middle School are working to finish a number of sections, including the academic wing, cafetorium, and athletic areas,” said Brady Beddingfield, construction project manager for Hubbard Middle School. “We expect … to be complete in May, allowing staff to move to the new building over the summer.”

According to Tyler ISD, the new Hubbard Middle School meets or exceeds all energy/building codes, ADA, TEA, and UIL requirements. The projected cost was $63 million.

“Demolition of the existing Hubbard buildings will start in June to prepare for parking and athletic field installation,” Loper said. “Both campuses are on schedule to welcome students in the fall of 2024.”

Chapel Hill ISD

It has been almost a year since voters passed a $113.9 million bond proposal to fund new campus facilities and safety and security improvements at Chapel Hill ISD and changes are underway. It was the first bond passed in the district in 16 years.

“We were so elated to have a successful passage of our 23 Bond,” said Lamond Dean, superintendent of Chapel Hill ISD. “It’s the first bond program of this magnitude in the history of our district to pass… we understand it was a large undertaking but it is such a significant representation of the support that we have in our district.”

In what Chapel Hill ISD called a “landmark election,” the approved bond referendum covers several projects on all campuses, including a new junior high school building and a new career tech facility.

According to Dean, there a lot of students that are both excited — and disappointed.

“The disappointment only comes from those who are graduating this year, or will have graduated, and will not have the opportunity to take advantage of the new facilities,” he said. “But… overall, everyone is very excited about these changes.”

In the last 16 years, the passage of bonds has been met with resistance from some community members. In 2022, a $125 million package was narrowly rejected. Prior to that, in 2015 another school bond, that time at $45 million, was defeated as the third package in three years to be turned down. Previously, a $21 million bond in November 2014 failed and in May 2013, voters couldn’t get on board with a $31.2 million bond.

“Fortunately, we were able to successfully pass the ‘23 Bond by a pretty solid margin of 10 percent,” Dean said. “We divided the bond up to give our community options. We wanted them to have options based on what was pertinent to where their tax dollars were going. And they supported all of the propositions, for which we are very grateful.”

Because all three propositions passed, property tax rates will increase by .27 cents, or for a home valued at $100,000, the tax bill is estimated to increase no more than $13.53 per month.

“After we got final acknowledgement that the bonds had successfully passed, we went right to work and started with the design phase,” Dean said. “We got a lot of our staff who will be utilizing the facilities involved to aid in the evaluation, to determine what their needs were and get their perspective… which was really important to me.”

Once the bill was passed, design committees were formed for all projects, and by July, there was a review for the final schematic designs. Each of the design teams were led by either the principal or director of respective facilities.

“Once they gave some guidance based on their needs, we started working more specifically with our architect to start working on some schematics to identify what the areas may look like,” Dean said.

During January, the committees got together to discuss vendors with the construction and architect companies

According to Dean, as of Feb. 12, the school board approved the guarantee price max after the information was presented.

“We were very happy with the dollar amount that we were able to present as it gives us some flexibility and it seemed like everything was right on target,” Dean said.

As construction starts to make way for the spring, weather-related conditions and the need for materials arriving on time were factored into the contingency plans.

“We give everybody estimates and proposed timelines based on that,” Dean said. “But… there’s always issues that are still impacting the schedules. We understand that there are still things that could cause delays. We feel that our construction companies… and the architects are well prepared for those as well.”

Fencing for both Wise and Jackson Elementary schools have been erected to start on construction, as well as the other projects. All projects are set to start construction simultaneously.

“We’ll be able to take advantage of the summer months and basically have a brand-new start when we start school in August,” Dean said.

Operations Facility

The new operations facility will be designed to include workshops, warehousing, in-school bus parking, and wash and fueling stations. It will provide employees with safe and adequate facilities, including accommodations for the transportation department, Child Nutrition, maintenance, and shopping and receiving departments. The estimated cost will be $4.8 million.

Career and Technical Education Center

The Career and Technical Education Center was built in 1966 and currently houses two special education classrooms and 14 trade and career-ready programs. The construction of the new facility will connect the building with the high school to improve safety and security for those students making their way to CTC classes.

The new facility will include modern classrooms and technical workshops equipped for 21st century learning environments. The estimated cost will be $20,200,000.

Multipurpose Activity Center

In an enclosed facility designed to provide a safe environment for physical wellness, students will be able to participate in a variety of activities. This includes 19 UIL organizations, such as band, cheer, dance and athletics.

This 57,000-square foot multipurpose facility will be between the Bulldog stadium and the high school parking lot. The estimated cost will be $12,100,000.

Junior High School

The Chapel Hill Junior High School, which has been a part of the community since 1974, has the most significant change. It currently houses 7th and 8th grader students and shares property with Chapel Hill High School. The growing number of students has led to overcrowding in the halls, resulting in staggered bell schedules.

The newest location allows the junior high school its own 32 acres of property. Construction has fenced off the property, located at 3102 East 5th Street in Tyler. The construction plan includes academic classrooms, science and computer labs, music rooms, rehearsal halls and a gymnasium with locker rooms.

The estimated cost of the new junior high school will be $55,500,000.

Elementary Schools

Jackson Elementary currently houses pre-kindergarten through 3rd grade students. With several new classrooms, the estimated cost will be $4 million.

Wise Elementary will also be receiving several new classrooms, as well a secure and safe connection for students entering the main building. The estimated cost will be $4.9 million — $4.4 million for the classroom additions and $500,000 for the entrance.

“All that work came together because we know that when we come together, there’s nothing that can stand in our way to benefit our community,” Dean said. “We cannot thank the community enough for their support.”