Stafford MSD to Open New Middle School and Administrative Facility Next Month

By Jay Srinivasan

Stafford Municipal School District (SMSD), the only municipal school district in Texas, will open its new facilities for middle school and administration next month. The district has plans for a ribbon cutting event and virtual tours, but these are being adjusted due to the pandemic and to accommodate community participation.

The new facilities are being constructed as part of SMSD’s $62 million bond program that passed in November 2017. The bond program provided funds to address growth and expansion at SMSD, which enrolled approximately 3,600 students in the 2019-20 school year.

“We are thrilled with our new space. We can’t wait for staff, students and the community to see the final result and enjoy the renovations of our complex in person one day soon,” said SMSD Superintendent Dr. Robert Bostic.

The new $26 million middle school will accommodate 950 students in sixth, seventh and eighth grade. The three-story building, encompassing 139,360 square feet, includes 21st century classrooms, science laboratories, robotics, engineering and computer labs, band and two art rooms, fitness room, library, two gymnasiums and a cafetorium. The existing middle school was built in 1983 during the district’s inception.

The new two-story, 26,362-square-foot administrative building includes office areas, training and conferences rooms, and a board room for meetings. The $6.9 million facility includes a district memorabilia area where there will also be a 3D model of the complex installed. Both buildings were designed by AutoArch Architects and are being constructed by Drymalla Construction.

“The new facilities are aesthetically appealing and offer unique instructional opportunities for Stafford MSD students,” said JP Grom, vice president at Lockwood Andrews & Newnam, Inc. (LAN), the firm serving as the program manager for the bond program.

Other elements of the bond program include converting the existing middle school into a new Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) magnet school for grades 3-8 that will open in 2021-22 – the only one of its kind in Fort Bend County, a repurposed community center in place of the former administration building, a new outdoor educational plaza, converting the former intermediate school into an early childhood center, and renovation of the existing elementary and high schools.