Bond progress: highlights Eagle Mountain HS, Wayside MS,  Facility Updates, Safety & Security

2017 Bond Program:
Eagle Mountain High School

Construction continues on EMS ISD’s fourth comprehensive high school, with anticipation building for its grand opening in August 2024. The last remaining capital project from the 2017 Bond Program, the campus will open with students in grades 9-11 and will feature a comprehensive schedule of academic and extracurricular offerings for its inaugural classes. Construction on the main academic wings is progressing quickly while work continues on extracurricular areas including the auditorium, stadium, fields and field house. 

Meanwhile, the first principal of the EMHS Knights, Dr. Ron Gatlin, has been working to hire highly qualified educators in key roles to start building programs for the campus. This includes assistant principals, lead counselor, head band director, lead football coach/campus athletic coordinator, dance director, cheer coach, and more. Staff also is working closely with a group of student leaders – all future Knights – to develop pivotal elements of the new school’s culture and climate. Come August, EMHS students and staff will be ready to “Armor Up!” to usher in the new school year in the new high school.

Also being completed from the 2017 Bond program this summer and fall will be exterior landscaping improvements at 11 campuses and exterior signage.

2023 Bond Program:
Wayside Middle School Replacement

The first capital improvement project from the 2023 Bond Program is the construction of a new Wayside Middle School. Before construction on any capital project can begin, work on design, permits, site studies, and other requirements must be completed. Soon after the bond election in November, representatives of EMS ISD, project architect VLK, and project engineer TNP met with the City of Saginaw to begin the process on building requirements. This included conducting two significant studies related to the site — a traffic impact analysis and a site drainage study. Both studies were completed and are pending the city’s review (as of February 2024). These studies are necessary to ensure safety and efficiency throughout the construction process.

Meanwhile, in January 2024, the EMS ISD Board of Trustees approved Pogue Construction to oversee the project from start to finish. Pogue also built Elizabeth Lopez Hatley ES, Lake Country ES, Copper Creek ES, and Marine Creek Middle School, which is the prototype design for the new Wayside building. While the building will follow a similar prototype, the design will include a color scheme and graphical features that make the school distinctly Wayside and will honor the history and traditions of the campus that date back to the 1960s.

Facility Maintenance

Priority maintenance projects slated to begin in spring/summer 2024 include HVAC and flooring. The final five HVAC rooftop units at Saginaw HS are scheduled for replacement over Spring Break with Highland MS and Creekview MS receiving rooftop replacements over the summer. Also scheduled for this summer is the installation of new HVAC systems at Saginaw ES.

Elementary school gym floor resurfacing will begin during summer 2024 at Chisholm Ridge, Comanche Springs, Lake Pointe, Northbrook, Parkview, and Remington Point. The composite gym floors at these campuses have reached their lifespan of 20 years with typical use. Ed Willkie MS and Lake Pointe ES also will receive carpet replacements over the summer.

Safety and Security

As part of safety and security enhancements, the first phase of playground resurfacing will begin this summer at Bryson, Chisholm Ridge, Comanche Springs, Elkins, Gililland, and High Country elementary schools. Playground resurfacing at remaining campuses will be scheduled for
phase two.  

At our middle and high school campuses, entry buzz-in systems will be added to provide additional security for building access. Additional security cameras also are currently being added district-wide as part of grant funding, with further expansions planned under the 2023 Bond.

Looking Ahead

Spring and summer 2024 will mark the launch of the 2023 Bond Program as construction projects move into active stages. Meanwhile, design work is slated to begin this year on future projects including a new Agriculture Science Building and Middle School #7.

These projects and more are made possible as part of the two propositions, totaling $561.1 million, approved by voters in the November 2023 election. EMS ISD will continue to provide regular project updates to voters and the community throughout the bond program. Be sure to visit the Bond Program Progress website at emsisd.com/BondProgress23, for regular updates and information about specific bond projects.

Facts: The 2023 Bond Program was a recommendation of the Long Range Facility Planning Committee comprised of 55 active community members representing various roles and regions of the district. Following the passage of the bond proposal, the Committee meets quarterly to hear updates on bond progress and enrollment growth trends and to review current and long-term facility needs. For information or
to get involved,
contact info@ems-isd.net.

As a fast-growth school district, EMS ISD is always planning and preparing for steady enrollment growth. Bond programs are a key component in building and maintaining facilities to support that growth. Currently, the district is in the last phase of projects in the 2017 Bond Program while beginning work on projects approved as part of the 2023 Bond Program.