MANOR, Tex.—The Manor Independent School District recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the district’s new K-8 technology campus. School officials were joined by representatives of architect ADM Group, Inc., construction manager at risk Lee Lewis Construction Inc. and planning designer HPM.

As part of a $280 million bond package approved by voters in 2019, the Manor Independent School District is making improvements throughout its purview to accommodate an increasing student population. This also necessitated the new technology campus.

The new campus will entail 40 acres, and its 116,000-square-foot building will host 800 children.  The school’s amenities will include athletic facilities and seating for 500 spectators, as well as art rooms, media center and various flexible classrooms and outdoors learning spaces.

“Not only is this a momentous occasion for Manor ISD because it marks the first step in building a new state-of-the-art facility for our district’s scholars, but it is groundbreaking because it will be the first campus of its kind in our region,” Dr. Andre D. Spencer, Manor ISD’s superintendent, said in a recent statement. “This campus will serve K-8 students under one roof, which is a rare educational model in the public school system in our state. We are excited about the many proven benefits of this model, including lower levels of anxiety among middle schoolers.”

Program manager HPM is providing quality control, preconstruction services, schedule maintenance and project management for the tech campus.

“HPM is proud to lead Manor ISD and our project partners through the development of this exciting project,” Andrew Betts, HPM senior program manager, said. “This campus will provide a unique opportunity to incorporate technology and interactive learning within nine levels of education, all on one campus.

“The ceremony is a symbol of Manor ISD’s commitment to providing the best educational resources for the scholars within this community.”

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PHOENIX—The new Sierra Linda Performing Arts Center, a 24,000-square-foot facility located at Sierra Linda High School in Phoenix, is now complete.

As part of the Tolleson Union High School District, the $10.5 million center was designed for maximum functionality for students, educators, and audience members, accommodating more than 600 people. To serve area arts education programs and the broader community, the center is being used as a hands-on teaching space for the Sierra Linda High School’s performing arts/fine arts programs and is acoustically balanced for both amplified sound and live performances. Funding for the project was provided by school bond dollars.

The stage includes state-of-the-art LED lighting with automatic stage rigging and controls. The back of the house includes a dance classroom, a multi-purpose classroom for guitar, mariachi and piano lessons, as well as associated restrooms and make-up rooms. The design scheme utilizes mountains on the walls and a color palette that complements Sierra Linda’s school colors of navy and maroon.

“We are absolutely thrilled that our Sierra Linda students will finally have a state-of-the-art performing arts center to showcase their talents,” said Tolleson Union High School District Superintendent Nora Gutierrez, in a statement.

“It is long overdue. This community deserves a beautiful facility such as this one. The performing arts center is one that will serve the community for many years to come. We can’t wait for the wonderful performances and events that will take place in this wonderful facility.

McCarthy Building Companies was the general contractor on this impressive project that took nine months to complete. ADM Group served as the project architect.

“This project illustrates that creative design and construction solutions combined with smart budgeting can elevate a school theater beyond status quo to a professional quality theater for the entire community to enjoy,” said Mike Horn, project director for McCarthy’s Education Services team.

ADM Group completed the original high school campus design in 2010, which included plans for a future performing arts center.

“Our team is proud to have designed a premier performance arts venue that will elevate the rich, cultural fabric at Sierra Linda High School,” said Nina Sheriff, principal/director of Design with ADM Group, in a statement.

“To pay homage to a nearby historic canal, the landscape design features a levee with river rocks that flow to and from the theater’s entrance. To reflect the name of the school, ‘beautiful mountains’, the side walls of the auditorium were constructed in the shape of mountains with lighting to glow like the sunset. The long-awaited performing arts center honors the community’s roots and gives students a modern, high-tech space to showcase their talents.”

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