PC Schools Considered Endangered
While they aren’t within Dallas city limits, that didn’t keep Preservation Dallas from looking out for three elementary schools currently residing in the Park Cities.
The nonprofit organization, which serves as a champion for neighborhoods and historic buildings in the community, released its endangered places list in Dallas recently and three elementary campuses made it onto the list: Bradfield Elementary, Hyer Elementary, and University Park Elementary. Was it serendipitous that those same three schools are mentioned in the bond package that is up for election this November?
“Highland Park ISD appreciates the recognition regarding these facilities from Preservation Dallas,” said Jon Dahlander, director of communications for HPISD. “…with multiple additions and renovations during the last 60-70 years, these schools have changed significantly from their original design and footprint.”
The three schools are all named to be rebuilt in the bond, which was designed and proposed by a facilities advisory committee consisting of HPISD alumni, parents, and grandparents of students.
“We felt it was important to call attention to the three historic schools and if there is a way to save them or rescue them instead of taking them down,” said David Preziosi, executive director of Preservation Dallas.
Bradfield Elementary School, which opened in 1925, and University Park Elementary School, which started in 1928, were both designed with similar design aspects including the Spanish Revival style and Rococo Revival detailing. Hyer Elementary School opened in 1949, and bears a different architectural design, including the Georgian Revival styling.
While these aesthetic features are important to note, the bond package addresses the question of whether the schools meet the overall needs of the school district. It’s a classic struggle of historical preservation versus present needs.
Here’s the full statement from Highland Park ISD:
HPISD appreciates the recognition regarding these facilities from Preservation Dallas. These schools have served the HPISD community well since before and slightly after World War II. At the same time, with multiple additions and renovations during the last 60-70 years, these schools have changed significantly from their original design and footprint. Moreover, the district’s student population is now at an all-time high, having grown from roughly 4,000 students in 1989 to more than 7,000 students today.
A facilities advisory committee made up of alumni, parents and grandparents of students has recommended new facilities for Bradfield, Hyer and University Park Elementary Schools as well as renovations to Armstrong Elementary School, McCulloch Intermediate School/Highland Park Middle School and Highland Park High School. In addition, the committee’s proposal calls for building the first new elementary school in HPISD since 1949. The goal for the architecture of each new elementary school is to incorporate historical elements of the original buildings, to complement the surrounding neighborhood, and to reflect the character and history of HPISD.
The changes being proposed as recommended by this group of HPISD citizens are designed to alleviate overcrowding and accommodate future student growth while creating more flexible learning spaces, improve student access to technology and address security and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) issues.
For more information on the 2015 HPISD Bond election, go to:
http://www.hpisd.org/2015bond