On March 17, the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah Independent School District Board of Trustees approved the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for the renovation and construction of the new PBTISD Professional Development and Parent Support Center and PBTISD Police Department. This project is part of the May 2023 Bond and symbolizes a continued dedication to educational excellence, safety, and community engagement.
The Professional Development and Parent Support Center will transform the original Austin Elementary School's "3rd-Grade Wing," constructed in 2010, into a dynamic, multi-functional facility designed to support both educational growth and community involvement with our staff and families. The facility will include:
Model Classrooms for hands-on instructional training,
Flex Labs to facilitate dynamic learning environments,
Dedicated Professional Development Rooms for staff training,
A Parent Support Room designed to provide resources, support, and various programs for district families,
Large Group Instruction Areas suitable for extensive training sessions and gatherings.
Additionally, the former Austin Elementary Cafetorium will be renovated into a versatile multi-purpose center for various district events and activities. The renovation will also repurpose existing office spaces into the new headquarters for the PBTISD Police Department, demonstrating the district's ongoing commitment to ensuring a secure and safe learning environment for all students and staff.
"This project represents a strategic investment in the future of PBTISD,” said Superintendent Brent Jaco.
“With this facility, we aim to continue our mission to empower our educators, engage parents, and provide a safe and welcoming environment for our community."
Acknowledging the district’s growing early childhood education program, the project will also include additional classroom space within Austin Elementary’s Pre-K area to accommodate the exponential growth and popularity of the district's early education offerings. Jaco added, "Our Pre-K program has become increasingly popular, and these new classrooms will ensure that PBTISD can continue to offer exceptional early learning opportunities to our youngest Eagles."
The GMP for the entirety of these projects is $24,287,535.00. Completion of the Professional Development and Parent Support Center and Police Department is projected for April 2026.