Beeville ISD Starts Construction on New Elementary School

The Beeville Independent School District near Corpus Christi, Texas, recently began a construction project that will consolidate two existing, aging schools into a new elementary school, according to a news release. The district is partnering with Pfluger Architects and Spawglass General Contractors for the design and construction, respectively, of the new facility. The school has an estimated opening date of August 2026 and will have the capacity for 1,200 students.

The new, 108,000-square-foot Beeville Elementary School will replace the existing Fadden-McKeown-Chambliss (FMC) and R.A. Hall Elementary Schools, both of which were built in the 1970s. The fully enclosed facility will feature indoor classrooms, collaboration spaces, and 51,000 square feet of natural play areas and outdoor learning spaces, the news release reports.

Rendering courtesy of Pfluger Architects

“This new campus features a pod-based ‘school-within-a-school’ layout where students are grouped into ‘neighborhoods’ for collaboration and learning,” said Pfluger Architects Managing Principal Connie Rivera, AIA, LEED AP, NCARB. “The design emphasizes flexible learning environments, enhanced accessibility, program continuity, and creative discovery.”

Pfluger worked with the district and a Community Advisory Committee to determine the community’s priorities in a new facility, including room for enrollment growth, facility conditions, and safety. It will feature advanced, collaborative learning spaces equipped with new technology. Following the school’s opening, R.A. Hall Elementary will be torn down and FMC Elementary repurposed for other district uses.

“While the community will be saying goodbye to two long-standing schools, we’re creating a learning environment that will enable our students to compete in the global world,” said Travis Fanning, Beeville ISD Superintendent. “Our students will soon be learning in a building that provides a stable, comfortable environment that supports both learning and well-being, empowering students to achieve their unlimited potential.”

Funding comes from a $62-million bond that voters approved in Spring 2024, according to the news release.

About the Author

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

Featured

  • textured paper collage shows a school building on fire as a fire truck sprays water into the flames

    Why a Fire Loss Is More than Flames

    We've all seen what fire damage can do to a property, but the types of damage building owners often encounter after a fire loss can exceed expectations. Having full awareness of the different forms of damage properties can sustain helps owners respond faster, reduce continued damage, and get back on the road to recovery in short order.

  • Texas District Finishes Construction on New Middle School, Admin Building

    The Westwood Independent School District recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Westwood Middle School and Administration Building in Palestine, Texas, according to a news release. The campus covers 106,000 square feet and has the capacity for 650 students in grades 6–8, and it will also play home to the district’s staff and administration.

  • Image credit: O

    Strategic Campus Assessment: Moving Beyond Reactive Maintenance in Educational Facilities

    While campuses may appear stable on the surface, building systems naturally evolve over time, and proactive assessment can identify developing issues before they become expensive emergencies. The question isn't whether aging educational facilities need attention. It's how institutions can transition from costly reactive maintenance to strategic asset management in a way that protects both budgets and communities.

  • California K–12 District Opens New Athletic Complex, Gym

    The San Mateo Union High School District (SMUHSD) in San Mateo, Calif., recently announced the completion of two new athletics facilities: a new gymnasium at Burlingame High School, and a new athletic training complex at San Mateo High School, according to a news release.

Digital Edition