DISD Construction Coming Down To The Wire

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DALLAS (CBS11) - In Dallas, construction crews are working down to the wire to get new classrooms finished.
"So much construction is still being done," noticed Mary Perez, as she registered her son at Greiner Middle School in North Oak Cliff, "[it] looks like a warehouse." And then adding with a laugh, "it's not gonna be ready."

But, staffers at Greiner are confident that construction will wrap before school bells ring.

"I'm not worried necessarily—about them getting done or that the classrooms won't be ready," says Principal Yvonne D. Rojas, "the most important [thing] is what we have inside…having the kids be able to utilize this beautiful new building."

It will be a coming home of sorts for Rojas, a Greiner grad and former assistant principal at the campus. But, home is not the aging portables that she remembers. "Very excited to be able to come back home," says Rojas, "to serve this community again… just to see the growth that's happened in the past."

Greiner, with some 1500 students, is one of the largest middle schools in the state and is home to the district's performing arts academy. But its surrounding North Oak Cliff neighborhood is growing fast—and the heavy traffic and congestion on nearby 12th street is a big concern for parents.

"Last year I actually saw a kid get hit and that was devastating," says Greiner parent and PTA President Michelle Keehn, "fortunately she didn't have any life threatening injuries. But, to know that parents will have the option to drop off on campus will be wonderful."

A 10-million dollar two-story annex at Greiner added much needed classroom space and science labs. Those spaces will be ready for students on August 24th. But, the community is invited to an open house to check out the new space on Thursday, August 20th from 5:00-7:00.

Exterior work will likely continue until mid-October on a new parking lot, courtyard and outdoor performance area.
"It will be worth the wait," says Keehn with a huge smile, "well worth it."

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