(Marion) — With students returning to class next week, Marion ISD is entering what Superintendent Dr. Don Beck calls the final major phase of the district’s voter-approved bond improvements.
Beck says the district’s multi-year construction program continues to make significant progress as construction crews race to finish several projects before students arrive on Thursday, Aug. 13.
“We were in year three of this major overhaul of this area here. We came up with the idea that, you know, we’re cooking sausage, and when you cook sausage, it’s a nasty mess, and then in the end, when you cook it, it tastes delicious. Well, we’re in phase three of that… this year we’re cooking the sausage,” said Beck.
Among the biggest accomplishments this summer is the completion of the secondary campus cafeteria renovation.
Beck says the district has also completed replacement of HVAC systems across all campuses.
“We’ll finally have all of our mechanical — the AC units — totally switched out in all the campuses. That’s supposed to be up and running. In fact, they’re all blowing cold today, which is a great sign,” said Beck.
Parking improvements are also nearing completion, including a renovated lot between the district’s elementary campuses and another behind the football stadium. That space will provide additional parking for the high school.
Although many projects will come online this fall, Beck says construction will continue beyond the start of school.
“The other two big pieces of those projects are the weight room, locker room, competition gym—that should be coming on board and fully operational by right at the beginning of 2027,” said Beck. “Then we have a fine arts wing that’s also there that has a new black box, a new theater classroom and a new band hall that should be connected and up and running by February, March.”
District officials say whatever projects aren’t done now will more than likely be completed before the school year is out.