District Update: Proposed Salary Increases, LFU Expansion, Swim Facility, Turf Fields

by Ronnie Zamora/LFCISD

Sound financial management and a conservative approach have placed the district to meet these needs without incurring additional debt for the taxpayers of the Los Fresnos CISD. The district is committed to retaining staff and is working diligently to include a compensation package for 2015-16 that includes a proposed salary increase. The district has also made a commitment to fund the capital improvement projects identified in the district’s long-range facilities plan.

The district recently completed construction of a band hall/fine arts center, locker room and weight room at Los Fresnos United’s ninth grade campus. An instructional wing consisting of 40 classrooms and state-of-the-art medical, robotics and computer labs that will accommodate the district’s innovative programs is under construction at Los Fresnos United. The instructional wing is scheduled for completion in fall 2016.

The Safe Room under construction at Los Fresnos United will double as a competition gymnasium. The Safe Room was made possible, in part, through a FEMA-funded program that is providing these structures in communities located in coastal counties. Under this program, the cost associated with converting the Safe Room to a secondary use is the responsibility of the entity that participates in the program. The Safe Room and gymnasium will be completed by August.

The ongoing construction is in response to continued student growth. Beginning in the fall of 2016, freshmen and sophomores will attend Los Fresnos United and juniors and seniors will complete their academic experience at Los Fresnos High School. Relocating the sophomores to Los Fresnos United will free up classroom space and allow the district to create additional program-specific settings and labs at Los Fresnos High School. These labs will further enhance the experiences required as students pursue certifications in connection with the endorsement areas and career interests.

The Los Fresnos CISD Board of Trustees recently approved a recommendation by administration to proceed with improvements to athletic facilities that have been part of the long-range plan for many years. Student participation in athletic programs is at an all-time high.

One of the most anticipated projects is an indoor practice facility to be utilized by the swim teams. This facility will be constructed adjacent to Leo Aguilar Memorial Stadium. The Falcon swim teams have been practicing at the Memorial Park city pool since 1998. Although the pool is heated, extreme weather conditions have been an additional challenge for student-athletes to overcome.

After careful consideration of the cost associated with the maintenance of the football/soccer fields at all secondary schools and Leo Aguilar Memorial Stadium, the district has also elected to proceed with installing artificial turfs at Leo Aguilar Memorial Stadium and Los Fresnos High School “Mini Stadium.”

The artificial turfs will go a long way in accommodating games and practices for JV Light, JV Dark and Varsity football and soccer teams. Construction at the LFHS field began Monday while construction at Leo Aguilar Memorial Stadium will begin in June. Both projects will be completed in August.