HISD is eyeing a multibillion-dollar bond election. Here’s who stands to benefit the most.

When Dora Alay describes Elrod Elementary School, the Houston ISD campus her two daughters attend, the first word she uses is “viejo” — old.

HISD constructed the Meyerland building in 1964 and, more recently, identified it for upgrades in 2018 when the district was considering a bond measure. However, the effort fell apart amid tumult in HISD, and Elrod Elementary never received slated improvements.

Tanya Debose, director of the Independence Heights Redevelopment Council in north Houston and one of the 21 committee members, recalled that elementary schools were among the campuses in greatest need. Top priorities for investments included heating and cooling systems, campus security upgrades and water fountains, Debose said.

“Most of the elementary schools were outdated,” Debose said. “They hadn’t had any upgrades or repairs, and certainly no rebuilds.”

In spring 2022, HISD’s executive director of construction services told the committee that the cost of all needed facilities upgrades was roughly $5 billion. The district could propose a bond of up to $3.5 billion without increasing tax rates, HISD officials said at the time.

‘Something in the building’

In interviews this week, several families at three schools previously targeted for improvements described clunky air conditioning units, inconsistent heating and dysfunctional bathrooms. Several families said they had no complaints about the facilities while cautioning that they had not spent much time inside the campuses.

Nati Jones, a Lanier Middle School parent, believes the nearly 100-year-old facility is affecting her daughter’s health. She ticked off a list of her issues with the building.

“Rats. Insects. The dust is horrible. The mold, or whatever is in the building. … Sometimes my daughter has migraines,” Jones said. “It’s not just her. It’ll happen with a group of kids, so I know it’s something in the building.”

At Law Elementary School, parent Robert Menefee sees the facility issues as directly connected to students’ ability to make academic progress. He wants his two children who attend the school to be able to focus on their studies rather than shivering in the cold or sweating in the heat.

“It makes it difficult for the kids to learn when they’re having to wear jackets because they’re cold, or hot because the A/C is out,” Menefee said.

Staff writers Tim Carlin and Anna-Catherine Brigida contributed to this report.

Asher Lehrer-Small covers education for the Landing and would love to hear your tips, questions and story ideas about Houston ISD. Reach him at asher@houstonlanding.org .