WFISD seeks to dispel rumors about Legacy High School
With two new high schools expected to open Aug. 15 in Wichita Falls, concerns have cropped up among community members that one campus won't be ready to open its doors to students for the 2024-2025 school year — and that both schools won't have cafeterias.
Wichita Falls ISD officials and an architect involved in the projects spoke out to quell rumors about Legacy High School and Memorial High School during a construction update at Tuesday's noon meeting.
“I've had several comments and concerns raised to me regarding Legacy not being as far along as Memorial,” School Board President Katherine McGregor said. "There's concerns that Legacy won't be finished in time for school.”
She said she has told those concerned that staggered construction starts were intentional, and Legacy took a lot more dirt work in the beginning.
Answers about WFISD's Legacy High School
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David Potter, contract-phase administration architect, was giving a presentation on the campuses' construction at the meeting, and McGregor asked him to address the questions about Legacy's opening, when furniture will be moved into the schools and such things.
Potter, president of DP4 Consult, said he didn't have exact dates on hand, but from the beginning, construction has been planned to finish early for the two schools.
"We won't be pushing August the 15th," Potter said. "We won’t be pushing August the first."
Potter said those involved in the projects are setting dates for the city's first inspections of the structures. WFISD staff must have those dates to schedule furniture delivery.
"Nobody has a problem with those dates right now," he said. "We're very happy with the dates that we have."
Architect to WFISD trustees: 'Not a question, not a problem.'
At the Legacy site, workers had to move $1 million of dirt before they could start drilling piers, Potter said.
Piers of concrete poured into the earth during construction create a foundation.
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“At Memorial, they went out and were able to grade off and start drilling piers. So that time frame worked out perfectly for us and for the project, and it will not affect either school opening,” he said.
“So they will both be opening next August?” McGregor said.
“Not a question, not a problem,” Potter said.
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The bistro experience at Legacy and Memorial High Schools
McGregor brought up another concern she is hearing from the community members that the new high schools will have bistro areas but not cafeterias.
“But we do have both, bistros and cafeterias, correct?" she said.
Potter said the schools will have very nice cafeterias with different kinds of food. The bistros stemmed from discussions about those who don't want to go to a cafeteria.
Similar to the United Market Street experience, students and staffs will be able to grab something, sit down and eat or take it to go from the bistros, which will be separate from the cafeterias, Potter said.
WFISD official: New high schools bring upgrades
Voters approved $290 million total in bond measures in two separate elections to finance building Legacy and Memorial.
Their opening is bringing sweeping changes to WFISD, transforming it from a district with three high schools to two new high schools.
During Tuesday's meeting, McGregor had one more thing to add.
“Literally for decades, I've heard that our kids go to the Metroplex, and they go to these fabulous high schools with fabulous facilities," she said.
WFISD will provide two high schools for the community that will match anyone's anywhere, McGregor said.
Fine arts facilities will get a tremendous, long overdue upgrade, as well as athletics, she said.
McGregor expressed appreciation to those involved in the high schools construction projects, as well as staff members who helped make it happen.
“We sure don’t want to miss the staff that's gotten us where we are. We know we couldn't do it without you guys — technology, furniture, academics, everything. So standing ovation to everybody," she said.
Trish Choate, enterprise watchdog reporter for the Times Record News, covers education, courts, breaking news and more. Contact Trish with news tips at tchoate@gannett.com. Read her recent work here. Her X handle is @Trishapedia.
This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: WFISD, architect seek to quell rumors about Legacy High School
