Navarro Independent School District

The transition from the current Junior High configuration to the former high school with a proposed expansion is driven by projected enrollment growth and the logistical requirements of modern safety standards. The former high school facility could accommodate four grade levels with the occupation of the Annex and Agriculture Science facilities. The transition to a Junior High will not include occupation of those spaces.

The current utilization of the former high school main building is 650 students. Data from the November Demographic Report indicates 803 peak enrollment when the Junior High occupies the building in August 2026, then reaches 1,113 students by 2029-2030 school year when the proposed expansion is expected to be completed. The proposed Phase I 16 classroom expansion is designed to meet this specific capacity threshold. Phase II will include four additional classrooms by renovating the former cafetorium and kitchen creating flexible and functional learning spaces for various programs. If the bond is approved, until the expansion is complete in 2029 the junior high will continue utilizing the main building, newer portables, 400 and 500 wings, and the internal and external cafeterias to accommodate growth.

A primary objective of the new construction is to increase capacity within the main building for safety and security. Modern school design prioritizes internal circulation and transitions. The expansion would allow the district to move away from students using the detached structures originally built in the 1950s and requiring students to transition outdoors.

Upon the junior high moving into the former high school campus in August 2026, the existing internal and external cafeterias will remain in full operation. To accommodate the increased student population and ensure the facility meets current capacity requirements, we will utilize the two dining spaces simultaneously. This dual-cafeteria model will require two separate food service staff to manage the daily operations and meal distributions across both locations.

The $65,000,000 bond proposal includes the construction of a larger, consolidated cafetorium designed to serve the growing student body in a more centralized manner. Upon voter approval, once this new facility is complete in 2029, it will allow the district to move away from the dual-cafeteria system. By consolidating food services into one larger space, the campus can streamline lunch periods and staffing more efficiently. Until that consolidated facility is finalized, the existing cafeterias remain in operation daily to prevent overcrowding during meal times.

The 2026 bond proposal is designed to complement rather than replace the 2024 bond projects, ensuring that all previous investments are fully utilized and integrated into the district's long-term facility strategy. The current remodels and refreshes of the former high school and junior high wings serve as a permanent foundation for the campus, providing high-performing spaces that will house relocated student support services and specialized programming. By placing the new 2026 additions—including the 16-classroom wing and consolidated cafetorium—on existing parking lot areas instead of renovated footprints, the district maximizes the lifecycle of current buildings while adding the necessary capacity to meet the projected enrollment of 1,113 students by 2029-2030 and projected enrollment of 1,412 for the 2035-36 school year. This cohesive master plan prevents the duplication of efforts or the wasting of resources, resulting in a secure, modernized environment where assigned funds from both the 2024 bond and 2026 bond contribute to the Junior High’s total functional capacity.

The district’s long-range plan ensures that no existing facilities will be left vacant following the Junior High transition. The space will be repurposed to support the district's growing operational teams, student support services, and district administration, freeing up the classroom spaces at the Annex Building and portables that district staff members currently occupy so those locations can be used for classrooms at the Navarro Early Childhood Center.

If the bond is approved, until the expansion is complete in 2029 the junior high will continue utilizing the newer portable, plus the 400 and 500 wings that will be refreshed as part of the 2024 Bond. The 100, 200 and 300 wings, Junior High gym, and former Agriculture Science buildings will be utilized by the district’s operational departments, as well as dedicated spaces for student support services and district administration. This allows other portables across the district to be repurposed for classroom and student educational support, and maximizes the lifespan of our current infrastructure while ensuring that newer construction is prioritized for direct student instruction.

Additionally, the Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP) will move out of its current portable units and relocate into the 400 Wing in 2029, providing those students with a permanent building structure.

The proposed connection of the Junior High secondary gym—formerly referred to as the Event Center—is designed to integrate the facility into the main campus footprint to improve operational flow and student safety. By physically linking the secondary gym to the primary school building, the district ensures that students can transition between their core classes and physical education classes without exiting the building. This enclosed connection enhances campus security by maintaining a controlled perimeter and increases efficiency by reducing the time required for student transitions.

Furthermore, this structural connection establishes a centralized visitor check-in point for community events held at the gym, ensuring that guests are funneled through a single, secure entry. 

The refresh of the secondary gym focuses on modernizing the existing infrastructure to accommodate current student enrollment and future growth. Key updates include the removal of the existing stage to repurpose that square footage for expanded locker rooms to support a larger student population in physical education programs. Additionally, the project includes the renovation of restrooms, the application of updated interior finishes, and the installation of modern audio-visual equipment.

The proposed allocation of $750,000 for Drainage, Fencing and Parking Improvements is a foundational requirement for the new construction planned at the campus. Because the 16-classroom academic wing and the new cafetorium are slated to be built on areas currently occupied by parking lots, the existing ground surfaces and water runoff patterns will be significantly altered.

This investment covers several critical infrastructure needs:

• Water Management: Replacing permeable or existing surfaces with large building footprints requires a redesigned drainage system to prevent water accumulation and protect both the new and existing structures from potential flooding or erosion.
• ADA Accessibility and Connectivity: The funds will be used to construct compliant walkways and ensure that all new areas meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. This ensures that students, staff, and visitors with mobility issues can navigate safely between the different sections of the campus.
• Parking Integration: As the new buildings will displace current parking, this portion of the bond covers the cost of reconfiguring and connecting parking lots between campuses. This is intended to create a continuous, accessible flow for vehicles, improving traffic circulation during drop-off, pick-up, and community events.
• Continuous Perimeter: investment also encompasses the installation of fencing to enhance campus safety and security. As the site transitions from separate buildings and parking lots into a unified campus with a new academic wing and cafetorium, the fencing is designed to establish a secure, continuous perimeter.

By addressing these civil engineering requirements during the initial construction phase, the district ensures that the new facilities are fully integrated into the campus and compliant with modern safety and accessibility regulations.

The 2026 Bond Proposal includes expanding the district’s transportation and maintenance infrastructure to prepare for future growth. With additional buses and a secured concrete parking expansion, the project aims to accommodate a future fleet of up to 50 buses to continue supporting the 60% of students who currently utilize district transportation. The upgrade will also include secured storage and parking of maintenance fleet and equipment to support long-term facility operations as enrollment increases and we add an additional campus – Navarro South Elementary School opening in August 2027 (Bond 2024). Relocating the bus parking lot will increase the parking capacity available for district employees at existing facilities; furthermore, this transition will free up space in secondary lots to accommodate added junior high staff and guests as campus enrollment expands. 

While a preliminary concept for the expansion has been drafted by an architectural vendor to establish the project's feasibility and estimated costs, the final design has not yet been determined. The current concepts serve as a framework to ensure the $65,000,000 budget is accurate and accounts for the necessary square footage and infrastructure.

The formal design process is structured to begin only after voter approval. If the bond passes, the following steps will be taken to finalize the plans:

• Formation of the Bond Oversight Committee: In the Fall of 2026, the district anticpates forming a Bond Oversight Committee. This group will include a diverse range of stakeholders from across the community to ensure transparency and local representation.
• Stakeholder Input: Community members, staff, and the committee will provide direct input on the specific design elements of the proposed projects, ensuring the facilities meet the functional needs of students and the expectations of the public.
• Final Approval: Once the collaborative design process is complete, the final architectural plans must be presented to and approved by the Board of Trustees before construction begins.

This process is designed to ensure that the final buildings reflect the community's priorities while remaining within the financial limits authorized by voters.