Nixon-Smiley CISD bond construction work continues

Nixon-Smiley CISD continues to work on its extensive bond construction program with improvements ongoing at Nixon-Smiley Elementary School, Middle School and Nixon-Smiley High School, Superinendent Jeff VanAuken said.

The Nixon-Smiley Elementary courtyard in Smiley will receive two butterfly shade structures the week of Dec. 16, Van Auken said.

“Once these two structures have been installed, then the courtyard will receive the rubberized flooring. This project is scheduled to be complete before students return from the Christmas break,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Nixon-Smiley Middle School gym floor project has seen the first concrete pour for a new subfloor completed and “the remaining demolition of the original subfloor should be complete this month,” Van Auken said.

“Once that demolition is complete, the second pour will take place and then the gym will be ready to install the new wood flooring,” he continued.

Meanwhile, at the high school, the baseball and softball fields are both nearing the completion of the first phase of construction.

“The fencing for both fields is complete. The new sod for the baseball field is scheduled to be installed at the beginning of this week. The dugouts and backstops are nearing completion.,” Van Auken said. “The fields are expected to be ready for use as we open the 2024-25 softball/baseball seasons. The new concession/restroom building will be part of the second phase, which will begin after the baseball/softball seasons conclude.”

Three buildings — the new CTE building, the maintenance/transportation building, and the Ag Barn — are all in the early stages of construction.

“Foundations as well as plumbing and electrical are in progress. These buildings have an estimated completion date of October 2025,” Van Auken said.

Four other projects are still in the design phase at this time, though Corpus Christi-based LWA Architects, the firm hired by Nixon-Smiley CISD, has released initial renderings of some of these projects. They include:

• Football field concession stand and restroom building

• New weight room

• 600 Building renovation plans

• Staff restrooms in the Middle School