HOUSTON -- The superintendent of the Houston Independent School District proposed Thursday an $805 million bond to improve or replace some schools across the district, KPRC Local 2 reported.

Dr. Abelardo Saavedra said the money would also go to implementing security upgrades at every school and new science laboratories.

School district officials said architects and engineers studied the conditions of the school buildings and their educational adequacy. The bond proposal was based on their findings, officials said.

"That facility study was conducted starting last December," Saavedra said. "It went on about seven months."

Experts determined that more than 9,000,000 square feet of school space is at least 40 years old.

The plan is not set in stone. Saavedra asked the school board for their feedback before a final proposal is drafted and voted on.

Should the school board vote for the final proposal, registered voters would have the final say on the matter in an upcoming election.

The draft proposal is part of a $1.045 billion facilities plan for the district.

Saavedra's preliminary draft proposal calls for:

$90 million for safety and security upgrades at every school
$29.2 million for new science labs in middle and high schools
Facilities for three new early college high schools in north, central and south Houston
Renovations and repairs at 128 schools
12 Replacement Schools:
Almeda Elementary
Berry Elementary
Carnegie Vanguard High School
Cunningham Elementary
De Chaumes Elementary
Frost Elementary
Gregg Elementary
Herod Elementary
Horn Elementary
Lovett Elementary
Piney Point Elementary
Roosevelt Elementary
3 New Schools To Relieve Overcrowding At Following Schools:
Dowling Middle School
Mitchell Elementary
Neff and White elementary schools
7 New Schools To Replace Older Buildings:
New school to replace Fleming Middle School and Isaacs, Scott and Ross elementary schools
New school to replace Ryan and Cullen middle schools
New school to replace Sherman and Crawford elementary schools
New school to replace Kennedy and Allen elementary schools
New Kindergarten through 8th-grade school to replace Smith Education Center and Atherton and Dogan elementary schools
New school to replace Peck and Hartsfield elementary schools
New school to replace Whidby and Shearn elementary schools
Renovations, Expansions Of 5 Existing Schools:
Crockett Elementary: renovations, addition
Lewis Elementary: renovations, addition to replace Bellfort Academy
Lockhart Elementary: renovations, addition to replace Turner Elementary
McDade Elementary: renovations, addition to replace Kashmere Gardens Elementary
Valley West Elementary: renovations, addition

More Information:

HISD Facility Capital Plan
HISD Capital Needs Assessment