Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Laredo ISD Provides Updates on $100M in District Construction Projects

  • By Matt Jones
  • 06/20/23

The Board of Trustees for the Laredo Independent School District in Laredo, Texas, recently received updates on a series of district construction projects totaling about $100 million, according to local news. Ongoing projects include a new academic wing for Cigarroa High School, a replacement facility for Cigarroa Middle School, a new library for Heights Elementary School, and construction of the new Kawas Elementary School.

According to Assistant Superintendent for Plant Facilities and Support Services Angel E. Velazquez, the new academic wing at Cigarroa High School will soon finish construction of Phase 1, which will house the campus’ core instruction areas. After the completion of Phase 1, demolition of the former instruction wings will begin to clear space for Phase 2, which entails the campus’ vocational shops, according to local news. The project cost an estimated $21 million and is scheduled for completion in late August 2023.

Meanwhile, the district is also planning a new, ground-up facility for Cigarroa Middle School. “This brand-new campus will replace completely the existing facility and will include instructional classrooms, fine art areas, cafeteria, two gymnasiums, special education units, and all required administration areas,” said Velazquez. The project cost $55 million and will be completed in March 2025.

The library at Heights Elementary School saw renovations to include four additional classrooms necessitated by increased enrollment, said Velazquez. The renovation project cost $3 million and will be completed by next month.

Finally, the district is constructing a new elementary school, Kawas Elementary School. “We are currently in the process of completing the construction of the new Kawas Elementary Campus,” said Velazquez. “The total cost of this brand-new facility is $16.4 million and is expected to be substantially completed by October 2023. The scope of work includes classrooms, gymnasium, cafeteria, and administration areas. The existing early childhood area was kept due to its good condition and will be seamlessly connected to the new building, improving the overall security of the facilities.”

Funding for all four projects comes from a 2018 Bond series election approved by LISD taxpayers, local news reports.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • University of Rochester to Break Ground on New Student Life Center

    The University of Rochester in Rochester, N.Y., recently began construction on a new Student Life building, according to a news release. The first floor will contain campus-wide gathering, program, and rehearsal space; the second floor will play home to the Greenbaum Center for Jewish Life.

  • California District Debuts New High-School CTE Center

    The West Sonoma County Union High School District (WSCUHSD) in Sebastopol, Calif., recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new CTE Center at Analy High School, according to a news release. The district partnered with Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA) for the facility’s design and GCCI for its construction, and funding came from local Measure A bond funds.

  • Houston-Area High School Receives Best Project Award from ENR

    Tomball West High School near Houston, Texas, recently received a K–12 Education Best Project Award in Engineering News-Record’s 2026 Texas & Southeast Best Projects Awards, according to a press release. The new facility was completed in May and opened its doors to students for the fall 2026 semester.

  • Growing Allied Health Workforce Demands Fueling Greater Need for Higher Education Facilities

    With the demand for healthcare professionals at an all-time high, colleges and universities are challenged with supporting the workforce demands in their own communities. Careers in allied health generally require specific training and/or certification, with some positions requiring degrees, certified credentials, and continuing education.