The planning process is underway so that construction can soon begin on several of the major projects approved by voters during last month's bond election.

Throughout November, HPISD administrative staff held several planning meetings to begin mobilizing the necessary resources to implement the projects envisioned by the HPISD Board of Trustees and the Facilities Advisory Committee.

Since the election, the following has taken place in relation to the 2015 Bond Program:

The Board of Trustees met in a public meeting to canvass returns and declare the results of the November 3 bond election. Click here for additional information.
The Finance Committee of the HPISD Board of Trustees held a public meeting to discuss, in part, the issues and timing of the sale of at least a portion of the $361 million bonds approved by voters. The sale is expected to take place during the first quarter of 2016.
Plans continue to be made to finalize the purchase of property from Northway Christian Church to build the district's first new elementary school since 1947. The purchase is also expected to close in early 2016.
The district met with Moody's Investor Service who confirmed the district's "Aaa" rating, the highest rating possible.
Planning meetings have been held with the district's architect, Stantec, to discuss potential designs for the new elementary school. These plans are still in the formative stage and will be shared with the public as they take eventual shape.
The district's administration has determined the process it will use to hire a construction management firm(s). In addition, the district has been involved in interviewing firms to assist with permitting and zoning from the City of Dallas for the fifth elementary school.
The district has begun discussions about the parameters for a bond oversight committee that will be convened for the first time in the coming months.
The district's financial advisors completed a $53 million advanced refunding of unlimited tax refunding bonds remaining from the 2008 bond election. The projected savings for HPISD taxpayers is in excess of $7.2 million, which is higher than previously anticipated.

"These past few weeks have been critical to us as a school district administration to figuratively lay the groundwork so that construction can begin in earnest on the new elementary school this spring," said HPISD Superintendent Dr. Tom Trigg. "While I know that we all wish that these projects were already under construction, the planning we do now will reap benefits in the future."

Dr. Trigg also noted that every attempt will be made to keep community members updated on the progress of the 2015 bond program. As plans continue to develop, a stand-alone page will be created on the district's website so that parents, taxpayers, staff and students can monitor updates.

It should also be noted that a process for the order of the reconstruction of the three elementary schools slated to be rebuilt is still being discussed. There have been no further significant developments regarding the design of Bradfield, Hyer and University Park Elementary Schools.