Harris County Department of Education to Build New Facilities, Renovate Administration Building (Source: Community Impact Newspaper)

By Kelly Schafler

The Harris County Department of Education will soon move forward on three capital improvement projects to replace and renovate aged facilities. The HCDE offers various alternative education programs, including adult education, head start centers for early childhood development, after-school programs, and educator certification and advancement.

The $36.1 million improvements include a new adult education facility, a new middle school and interior renovations to the department’s existing Ronald W. Reagan Administration Building, according to the April 27 news release from Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc., the program manager for the projects.

The new $19.1 million adult education facility will be constructed at 6515 Irvington Blvd., Houston, replacing several aged buildings at the same address. The 51,000-square-foot building will accommodate 1,000-1,200 students and will feature 17 classrooms, five laboratories and administration spaces, according to the release.

Here, HCDE will offer English, math, reading, writing and workforce training to help students acquire skills to earn a high school equivalency diploma, enter college or to succeed in careers, LAN program manager Dan Wardrop said via email. Workforce training programs available include courses to become certified nursing assistants or phlebotomists, computer skills training, welding fundamentals and job placement services.