Friendswood ISD Bond Projects Move From Ballot to Construction Planning

FRIENDSWOOD — Four months after voters approved three of four Friendswood ISD bond propositions, the district is beginning to turn those authorizations into visible projects across its campuses.

At its September 14 meeting, the Friendswood ISD Board of Trustees reviewed and approved several items tied to the 2026 bond program, including the purchase of new school buses, architectural work for science classroom conversions and continued planning for an expanded Career and Agricultural Science Center.

Eleven new buses approved

The board approved a $1,742,203 purchase from Rush Truck Centers for nine 77-passenger buses and two 53-passenger buses. District documents state that the vehicles are in stock and could be delivered within approximately 30 to 60 days.

The buses are being purchased with Series 2026 bond proceeds and are intended to help replace aging vehicles used on daily routes. They also meet the state’s newer seat-belt requirements for school buses.

According to the district’s September 14 agenda, the purchase includes additional student and driver safety options and will allow older buses to be moved off regular routes and retained as backup vehicles.

Science classrooms move into design

Friendswood ISD is also moving forward with plans to convert existing instructional spaces at Bales Intermediate and Windsong Elementary into dedicated science classrooms.

The board authorized architectural service orders with Huckabee & Associates for the conversions. The district said the goal is to create appropriately designed and equipped science-learning environments for students and staff.

According to a September project update reported by Community Impact, the science-lab designs are expected to return to trustees for review in October. If approved on schedule, construction is expected to begin in February 2027, with substantial completion targeted for early August 2027.

Ag Science Center remains one of the larger projects

The district is also advancing the planned expansion and renovation of its Career and Agricultural Science Center. Board documents describe the project as an expansion of the existing agricultural facilities to support welding, agricultural science and career exploration.

Current plans call for a project of roughly $12.9 million, including animal pens, a show arena, wash areas and additional parking for vehicles and trailers.

The project remains in design. Plans are expected to return to the board in November, with construction currently projected to begin in April 2027 and substantial completion anticipated by late December 2027, according to the latest published schedule.

Westwood remains part of the infrastructure discussion

Westwood Elementary continues to receive facility attention even though the separate bond proposition that would have funded a replacement campus did not pass in May.

Voters approved Proposition A, which included funding for critical infrastructure and aging facility needs. Proposition B, which would have funded a new Westwood campus, was narrowly rejected.

This summer, roof testing at Westwood identified saturated insulation and additional moisture beneath portions of the existing roofing system. The district expanded the repair scope as those conditions were uncovered.

The September board agenda lists approximately $197,807 for the expanded roof work, in addition to an earlier roughly $63,702 repair scope. District officials are also evaluating humidity-related issues at the campus and possible HVAC-related improvements.

What residents should watch next

For residents, the next several months should provide a clearer picture of how quickly the larger bond projects move from design into construction.

The science classroom designs are expected before the board in October, followed by the Career and Agricultural Science Center plans in November. Additional critical-infrastructure projects, including HVAC and aging-facility work, are also being prioritized as the district finalizes its implementation schedule.

The May bond vote did not approve every project proposed by the district, but it did authorize a substantial package of transportation, instructional, technology and infrastructure work. September’s board actions show that implementation of that package is now underway.

Sources: Friendswood ISD Board of Trustees, September 14, 2026 meeting materials; Friendswood ISD 2026 bond information; Community Impact’s September 2026 project update; and official May 2026 election results.