Superintendent Smith and Kelly Horn present $966M bond update to school board

The Arlington Independent School District (AISD) Board of Trustees held a regular meeting on April 3, 2025, focusing on updates regarding the 2019 bond projects. The meeting featured a report from Assistant Superintendent of Facility Services Kelly Horn, who provided insights into the ongoing construction projects funded by the bond.

Horn reported that the total bond allocation remains at approximately $966 million, with $572 million already encumbered for various projects. Following the latest bond issuance of over $163 million, the available funds have increased to about $277 million. Horn noted that several projects are currently in the bidding process, which will utilize a significant portion of these funds.

The report highlighted the progress of various construction projects, including the completion of multiple facilities and the advancement of others. Notably, the construction at Joy Rodriguez is nearing completion, with expectations to finish by the end of April. The new band hall addition at Glaspie Field is also on track for completion this summer, ready for the upcoming school year.

Horn addressed the district's goal of maintaining a high level of Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) participation in these projects, although recent figures showed a slight dip in participation rates. The board aims to increase HUB participation to 30% as new projects are initiated.

The meeting also included discussions about the design and amenities of new facilities at Wildman and Cravens, comparing them to the recently completed Glaspie project. The board is working to ensure that all new facilities meet the same standards and provide similar amenities, despite site-specific challenges.

In conclusion, the AISD Board of Trustees continues to make significant progress on its bond-funded projects, with a focus on timely completion and maintaining community engagement through HUB participation. The next steps involve finalizing bids for upcoming projects and ensuring that all facilities are ready for students by the start of the school year in August.