Ponder ISD Lower Elementary School Refresh

Ponder ISD is undertaking a comprehensive renovation of its Lower Elementary School at 401 W Bailey Street in Ponder, Texas. The project, filed under the name Ponder ISD Lower Elementary School Refresh, covers a building footprint of 78,375 square feet. With an estimated cost of $10,000,000, this effort represents a significant investment in the district’s educational infrastructure. The work is classified as a renovation and alteration, focusing on updating both the interior and exterior elements of the facility.

Scope of Work and Design

The scope of work includes the renovation of interior finishes and various exterior improvements. Key components of the physical changes include the installation of a new roof and new mechanical units. The project also addresses site improvements, specifically parking lot striping and repair, and the construction of a new canopy. VLK serves as the design firm of record for this project, providing the architectural and engineering oversight necessary for the renovation. The registered accessibility specialist for the filing is Bonita L Anderson, ensuring the project meets state accessibility standards.

This project involves public funds and is located on public land. The estimated cost per square foot is $128, a figure that sits above the Denton County median of $81 for similar renovation and alteration filings. The total estimated cost of $10,000,000 is also above the county median for this project type. The scheduled build window for the work is 69 days, which is close to the county median of 92 days for comparable projects.

Ponder ISD has another TDLR-registered project in the same district, the Ponder ISD Upper Elementary School, with an estimated cost of $7,000,000. The design firm, VLK, has worked on six other TDLR-registered projects totaling $19,863,515, including schools in Friendswood and League City. The project was registered with TDLR in October 2026. Plan review is pending, and construction is targeted for August 2027. The construction start date listed in the filing is May 2027, with a completion date of August 2027.

The TDLR status for this project is Project Registered. The registration confirms the project’s compliance with state accessibility laws and provides a public record of the planned improvements. The specific details of the renovation, including the new roof and mechanical systems, are documented in the filing. The project is part of a broader effort by Ponder ISD to maintain and upgrade its school facilities.