Dickinson ISD Gator Bytes

2007 Bond update
New DISD facilities begin to take shape

Education Support Center

The Dickinson ISD Education Support Center is nearing completion and a move is tentatively planned for the middle of March. The two-story facility, located at 2218 East FM 517, at the intersection of Timber Drive and FM 517, will house the district's support service departments as well as training rooms for staff development and a board room to seat 175 people. The building has been designed very energy-efficient with solar panels and also a wind turbin to help with electricity costs. The district is planning an Open House in April for the community to visit the new Education Support Center. Watch future issues of Gator Bytes for more information on the open house.

DHS Band Hall

Tentative schedules call for the Dickinson High School Band to be practicing in a new free-standing band hall this coming fall semester. The new 19,000 square foot facility is underway in front of Dickinson High School in the parking lot commonly known as the band practice lot. Bay Architects, who designed the facility, have said it will be one of the best halls in the state. When students and staff returned from the Winter Holidays, the structure began to take shape with steel beams being seen where the building will be located.

DHS Academic Wing and
Competition Gymnasium
A two-story academic wing, featuring six new science labs and dozens of new classrooms, is being constructed on the backside of Dickinson High School. The labs are needed to help the district comply with the new state requirements calling for students to take four years of science during their high school years. A large group instruction area will also be included to seat 125 people for presentations and meetings. The academic wing is located on the left hand side of the new DHS competition gymnasium which is also under construction. The new competition gym will feature a triple gymnasium design with combined seating for approximately 2,400. The gym will be able to host three basketball games or five volleyball games at the same time for tournament-style events. The gym is also located in close proximity to the DHS Field House and Sam Vitanza Stadium allowing for the athletic facilities to all tie in together. Both the academic wing and the gymnasium are tentatively scheduled for completion in Spring 2012.

Transportation Center and Child Nutrition Facility
The district's Transportation Department and also the Child Nutrition Department will be moving into new homes in late spring on the site of the district's former junior high campus on Video Street. The facilities are a mixture of new construction and renovations to portions of the former junior high campus. The Transportation Center will feature plenty of extra pavement area for parking of the district's bus fleet in addition to office space and support areas for the district's bus drivers. A propane gas fueling station will also be included to accommodate the addition of 25 new propane buses the district is receiving through a recent grant application. The new buses will replace the oldest part of the district's bus fleet. The cafeteria building on the former junior high site has been substantially renovated to house the district's Child Nutrition Department and offer much more office and meeting space, as well as complete kitchen facilities.