Spring Branch Education Center upgrade to start this summer Spring Branch ISD to begin work after receiving approval from Spring Valley

The Spring Valley Village City Council has approved a specific-use permit that enables Spring Branch Independent School District to begin renovations this summer at the Spring Branch Education Center campus, 9016 Westview.

The campus is the site of the former Spring Branch High School and now houses Cornerstone Academy charter middle school and Academy of Choice alternative high school as well as other district functions.

Spring Branch ISD's $29 million renovation plan, funded with remaining proceeds of the 2007 bond, will rebuild and renovate the two schools as separate, two-story academic buildings with a shared cafeteria and kitchen and a central, outdoor courtyard.

The plan also pays tribute to the district's first high school through use of a mid-century design for a new front façade on Westview and creation of a new, public museum in the existing auditorium and library. The museum will house historical materials and artifacts maintained by the high school's alumni group, the Spring Branch Senior High School Foundation.

The project includes demolition of some existing structures to provide space for the central courtyard, pedestrian walkways, parking and additional vehicle and bus drop-off. A new drive and decorative fencing are planned at the unused Vines Science Center.

Several SBEC buildings will remain as is, including the existing DAEP building, gyms and weight room. They would be addressed in two future phases along with improvements to the ball fields and Vines Center on the east side of the campus.

SBISD currently has no timeline or funding source for those phases, but its presentation to Spring Valley Village City Council states they would be a high priority once a long-range facilities committee is formed in the next 18 months. Improvements to the athletic fields would be done in partnership with Spring Branch Memorial Sports Association.

Spring Valley Village officials had hoped to permit a broader master plan for the entire campus. The SUP approved by City Council on Feb. 24, which allows for educational facilities in a residential zone, applies only to the phase one plan for SBEC. But city officials say they are satisfied with ongoing communication as the project moves forward. Mayor Tom Ramsey noted the project will improve traffic flow and eliminate parking on Westview.

"Plus, there's the new auditorium where they will have some historical documents related to Spring Branch and the school district. It's a great thing," Ramsey said.

Construction is expected to begin in June, with completion estimated in December 2016.

While their new schools are being built, students and staff from Cornerstone and Academy of Choice will relocate to a transition campus at the former Edgewood Elementary, 8655 Emnora. The two schools will have separate operations and educational space at the transition campus as they do now at SBEC, SBISD spokesman Steve Brunsman said.

About 70 special education staff as well as the district's community education offices will relocate to the former Westwood Elementary, located at 2100 Shadowdale, Brunsman added.