These days it’s tough to drive through the Mansfield Independent School District and not come across some type of construction.
“There’s a lot of exciting things going on in Mansfield ISD,” said Richie Escovedo, spokesman for the district, which is in the process of completing several major projects that were planned as part of the bond package voters approved back in 2011.
At Wester Middle School, for example, crews are working on a new front office with enhanced security features, new locker rooms and a new kitchen for the cafeteria. At the same time, they’re repainting the walls and replacing most of the flooring inside the school.
District officials said it’s going to look great, but it’s going to take time to finish.
“We will have renovations and construction still going on as the year starts,” said Escovedo. “But we’ll do everything we can to make sure that process is a smooth one for those schools.”
For some elementary school students, that process will involve them going to a completely different location for half of the school year. Construction is nearly complete on the new J.L. Boren and Alice Pounder elementary schools, which are scheduled to open after winter break. That’s also when construction will begin on the new Glenn Harmon Elementary.
Other families are going to be dealing with construction outside of their schools.
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A multi-million-dollar road improvement project is underway near Carol Holt Elementary, Cross Timbers Intermediate and T.A. Howard Middle School.
While construction is ongoing, a one-lane, one-way detour will be in place along Ledbetter, Russell and Calender roads. It will remain there for two years.
That project is being funded by the city of Arlington with bond money approved in 2008.
District officials said they realize parents and students will have to do some juggling while all this work continues, but they believe the inconvenience will be worth it in the end.
“Of course, we’re asking for patience as we go through this,” said Escovedo.
