Houston ISD To Completely Rebuild 4 Harvey Damaged Schools

HOUSTON, TX — Four local elementary schools severely damaged from Hurricane Harvey a few months ago will be torn down and rebuilt. The Houston ISD Board of Education voted Thursday night to rebuild Braeburn, Scarborough, Kolter and Mitchell elementary schools at their current locations and at a high elevation to prevent potential future flood damage.

The estimated cost for total replacement is $126 million, which will be funded by a combination of the school district's operations reserves and Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) funds.

"The damage to these four buildings was catastrophic," said Superintendent Richard Carranza. "Our chief operating officer and his team looked at them and believed it would be the most effective use of HISD resources to tear down and rebuild. We look forward to getting these students back into their home campuses that will be better-equipped to sustain major storms in the future.”

Students and staff of those schools are currently at temporary locations and will remain there until the new facilities can be reconstructed, which are projected to open in 2020.

Other schools damaged by Harvey will get renovated, and the district laid out its plan for financial contributions in a press release sent Thursday evening. It includes:

• Three additional HISD schools — Robinson and Hilliard elementary schools and Liberty High School — were also relocated as a result of the damage sustained during Hurricane Harvey.
• Renovations at the original Robinson Elementary are wrapping up this month, and students are expected to return to their home campus when they return from winter break on Jan. 8. Renovations at Hilliard are ongoing. District officials opted to renovate both schools because of the age and sustainability of both buildings.
• Liberty High School had been located in a facility leased but not owned by HISD. The school was temporarily relocated to Sharpstown International School. District administrators now are reviewing long-term relocation options for the campus.
• Also during the December meeting, the HISD Foundation announced a $4.7 million grant from Aramco Services Company for Harvey relief. The gift is designated for seven schools: Robinson, Scarborough, Hilliard, Braeburn, Kolter, and Mitchell elementary schools and Liberty High School.
• Each school will receive a tech package worth $400,000 that includes laptops, iPads, and more. As part of the grant, Aramco will also fund needs for each school up to $300,000. Those needs include, but are not limited to books, instructional supplies, tutoring services, and professional development for teachers.

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