19 Jan 2005
Obadiah Knight Elementary School Dedicates New Wing
DALLAS–Parents, students and community leaders joined Interim Superintendent Larry Groppel and members of the Dallas Independent School District Board of Trustees Wednesday for a news conference at Obadiah Knight Elementary School to celebrate the progress of the 2002 Bond Program.
"Three years ago voters approved the $1.37 billion bond program, and we have been working continuously to keep construction on schedule," Groppel said. "The new wing of Obadiah Knight Elementary is a great example of the quality of work our students and community deserve. DISD appreciates the confidence and trust bestowed upon us by the Dallas voters; we are committed to keeping the promises we made."
Since the approval of the bond program in January 2002, DISD has opened two new schools, reconstructed one, and broken ground on three others. Additions have been completed to eight schools and renovations made to 28 others.
By the end of construction in 2008, DISD will have added 21 new schools and one reconstruction, an athletic complex, and a central food preparation facility in addition to expanding and renovating all existing schools.
Immediately following the news conference, Obadiah Knight Principal Sylvia Fuentes, PTA members, parents and students joined district officials in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the school's new wing. The two-story, $5.7 million addition, has 14 classrooms, and includes a second-floor library, first-floor offices and a health clinic. A paved courtyard, an elevator and many other upgrades are part of the improvements.
"We love our new wing and the expanded services it allows us to offer our children," said Fuentes.
Members of the Bond Advisory Committee appointed by trustees to oversee the program were also on hand for the day's events. The 12-member committee, consisting of business and community leaders, closely monitors all of the work, meeting quarterly to review decisions and keep track of the budget.
As added financial safeguards, DISD implemented the Integrity Assurance Program to ensure fiscal responsibility and developed 16 key success measures to monitor services performed by contractors and district staff.
By implementing such measures, Groppel said DISD is setting standards for other school districts that are considering major expansion programs.
The district has set a goal of 30 percent minority business participation in the bond program and has consistently exceeded the target. In 2004 alone, $165 million (34 percent of contracts) were awarded to minority businesses.
Over the next year, DISD will break ground on 11 schools, open two new elementary schools, complete renovations to 32 schools and kick off football season in the new Jesse Owens Memorial Complex.