On Saturday, March 23, Allen ISD’s Project Kids bond advisory committee toured facilities both within and outside the district to view classrooms and student spaces at an closer level. Committee members, which include parents, grandparents, and community members, volunteered their Saturday morning for this tour.
Ford Middle School
The 80-member committee began the session with a comprehensive tour of Ford Middle School. The group heard presentations by administrators about foundation, security, and functional issues at the campus. Tour-goers identified how the secured vestibule leads directly into the main hallway, whereas the newly renovated Ereckson Middle Schools can funnel visitors directly into the main office. The committee also explored how the only way to enter the Ford Middle School gymnasium is through an outdoor pathway, and how the Ford campus sits next to public park spaces. Additionally, the building’s foundation has been subject to settling, resulting in structural issues needing correction. Other considerations included potential classroom and collaboration space improvements and renovations to the library. The school was last renovated in 2014.
Indoor Activity Centers
The tour group was asked to tour the Allen ISD Activity Center, a facility that was built in 2000 and has not been renovated since its construction. In order to provide insight into current needs for high school students, the group first visited the Melissa ISD Championship Center, a multipurpose activity center built in 2021 for the 4A high school. The 134,000-square-foot facility provides training and practice options for sports including football, baseball, softball, track and field, and golf. The training area features humidity control, hard surfaces, and epoxy floors to reduce the possibility of infections. The building also hosts marching band practices, competitions, and cheer and dance training. Additionally, the complex houses classrooms, meeting and banquet rooms, an industrial laundry facility, and storage components. The 120-yard practice field can be divided into three sections for use by multiple activities at the same time. Although the indoor field is not air-conditioned, a modern ventilation system allows the facility to be used during heat advisory days and storm conditions when outside practice is not possible.
Allen ISD Athletic Activity Center
The tour ended at the Allen ISD’s Activity Center adjacent to Eagle Stadium, a building that was constructed in 2000 and has not been renovated to date. The group reviewed the 30-yard, single-use practice area, locker rooms, and restrooms. The group also identified the outdated and undersized laundry facilities and training room. Additionally, it was noted how students in the athletic training program do not have dedicated classroom space, and must utilize space within the existing training room for classroom instruction. The group learned that nearly 2,000 students use the 57,000-square-foot facility daily during the school year. The long-range planning committee, which met in the Fall of 2023, recommended improvements to modernize the training area, expand locker rooms, showers, restroom facilities, and improve classroom areas. Upgrades to the laundry equipment and storage space are also recommended.
