Chapel Hill ISD broke ground at the high school bus loop to commemorate the other projects funded by the 2023 Bond, including a new CTE and operations facility. (Jennifer Scott/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Almost a year after Chapel Hill ISD voters passed a $113.9 million bond package to fund new campus facilities and upgrades, supporters and community members joined administration and staff members Tuesday for groundbreaking ceremonies.

The bond will fund several projects at all campuses, including a new junior high school and a new CTE facility.

“This has been a long time coming,” said board Vice President Les Schminkey.

The first ceremony Tuesday was at the site of the new junior high at 3102 E. Fifth Street in Tyler, which is planned to be finished by fall 2025.

Fourth-and fifth-grade students from Kissam Intermediate School also attended the ceremony as they will be the first class in the new junior high school building.

“Today marks a historic moment in the life of our school community,” said junior high Principal Ashley Loyd. “This ceremony is not just about the physical construction of buildings… it symbolizes our commitment to providing the best possible learning environment for our students.”

Superintendent Lamond Dean said the district is experiencing growth with new houses and developments.

“We’re preparing for the future,” he said.

Tuesday’s second groundbreaking ceremony was at the high school bus loop to commemorate the other projects funded by the 2023 bond.

“It’s been a long journey in our district,” Dean said. “We have been unsuccessful with our school bonds trying to improve our facilities in our community.”

In the past 16 years, bond measures were met with resistance from community members.

In 2022, a $125 million package was narrowly rejected. Before that, in 2015, a $45 million measure was defeated — the third defeat in three years (previous bond totals were $21 million in 2014 and $31.2 million in May 2013).

“We really re-evaluated, and our school board gave us support and the focus still to improve the facilities of our district,” Dean said. “We put together an ambassador group, with many of our stakeholders in our district coming together as a team to really emphasize the importance of meeting the needs of our children through facilities improvement.”

May’s election allowed the bond to pass by a margin of 10 percent.

“Our community has seen the work that has been done in our district and have shown support like never before,” Dean said. “So we’re overjoyed. Extremely thankful. We don’t take that support lightly because we feel like the commitment is just as much of a responsibility.”

The projects will be worked on simultaneously with staggered finished times. The smaller projects — such as a connection at the main building at Wise Elementary School and additional classrooms — could be completed over the summer, whereas larger projects, such as the new junior high school campus, will take roughly 15 months.

“Thank you, Chapel Hill, for the support you have given along the way,” said Paul Welch, president of the Bond Oversight Committee and member of the Long Range Facility Committee. “Our teachers, students and our community will soon benefit from new and updated facilities that will be among the best in East Texas.”

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, according to Chapel Hill ISD. The estimated cost will be $4.8 million.

Career and Technical Education Center

The district’s Career and Technical Education Center was built in 1966 and 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 students making their way to CTE classes.

The new facility will include modern classrooms and technical workshops equipped for 21st century learning environments, according to the district. The estimated cost is $20.2 million.

Multipurpose Activity Center

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

This 57,000-square foot multipurpose facility will be between Bulldog stadium and the high school parking lot. The estimated cost will be $12.1 million.

Junior high school

Chapel Hill Junior High School was built in 1974, houses seventh-and eighth-grade 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, according to the district.

The new campus is on 32 acres.

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 is $55.5 million.

Elementary schools

Jackson Elementary houses pre-kindergarten through third-grade students. The addition of new classrooms is expected to cost $4 million.

New classrooms also will be added at Wise Elementary School as well a secure and safe connection for students entering the main building. The estimated cost is $4.9 million.