Tornado construction ongoing

Jacksboro ISD Superintendent Brad Burnett gave a tornado construction update as part of the board’s Sept. 12 meeting.

He said further unknown damage was found on the ag building. What was originally thought to be damage to the masonry block was more severe, as a wall was moved about 4-6 inches. Students have been kept out of the building while the wall is repaired.

Burnett said he hopes to have students back in class in the next two weeks.

In other news, Gallagher Construction Services and Corgan Architects were hired as construction manager agents and architects, respectively, for the work on the high school and elementary school gyms. Those are expected to be 1218 month projects with nearly all the work being done with no students around.

Because of the JES construction, a new traffic flow for drop off and pick up lines will need to be developed. Burnett said he wants to utilize the school property as much as possible to get kids and parents in and out safely.

No time frame for the new flow has been determined. A meeting with the construction manager is scheduled for Sept. 22.

Burnett said he hopes to be able to use the vacant lot near the school playground as a “staging” area. The nearby Live Oak Baptist Church has been receptive to working with the district on a solution.

Bids on the project will be opened Oct. 4 in Wichita Falls, Burnett said.

Work on the press box at Tiger Stadium is “a work in progress” but continues to move along well.

Thescoreboard,heating and air conditioning and video equipment all work with hopes for having all the tweaks worked out by Homecoming.

The district is also appealing its ‘no rating’ elementary school score from the state. Burnett said the district is working with both TEA and Region 9 to ask for a waiver due to a disaster declaration.

JES Principal Michael Qualls has written a letter appealing the ruling, speaking about the students and staff emotional wellbeing following the tornado and has identified ideas for overall school improvement. Burnett said the district hopes to get some relief.