Midland Independent School District announced on March 25 that it has selected Parkhill to provide architectural and engineering services for Bond Package 13, which includes the future John “Randy” Storie Middle School and Encore Academy. The selection was approved by Trustees during a board meeting on Tuesday evening.
The projects in Bond Package 13 represent an important investment in facilities supporting Midland ISD students and programs. Selecting a firm familiar with district campuses is intended to ensure efficient planning and design as the district moves forward with this phase of work.
Parkhill was chosen from a previously approved pool of qualified firms based on its demonstrated competence, extensive knowledge of Midland ISD facilities, and a strong track record within the district. Funding for these services is already included in the overall Bond 2023 budget. Under an existing agreement, Parkhill will not charge separate program management fees when serving as both architect and engineer, which is expected to save about $1 million between Storie Middle School and Encore Academy.
Plans for Storie Middle School include renovating outdated classrooms, adding a new main entry with secure vestibule, expanding kitchen and cafeteria space, installing a fire suppression system throughout the building, and upgrading safety, technology, and capital renewal features. Once grade reconfiguration occurs in 2028, Storie will become Midland ISD’s sixth middle school.
For Encore Academy—which serves students in the district’s special education program aged 18 or older—the decision was made to construct a new facility adjacent to Storie Middle School rather than renovate an existing campus. This approach aims to address both fiscal responsibility and student needs by consolidating resources while reducing long-term operational costs. The new facility will be designed for more than forty-five students with flexibility for growth; features include life skills labs, vocational training areas simulating real-world environments such as retail spaces, outdoor learning elements like gardens and walking paths, recreational amenities including a basketball court, staff offices, conference areas—and immediate access to shared resources like nursing care.
Bundling construction of Encore Academy with Storie Middle School leverages economies of scale by streamlining phased construction without needing another program manager since Parkhill covers both roles. This could allow opening the Encore Academy facility by August 2027 while saving taxpayer dollars—similar to past bundled projects.
The district reports that transferring $5.9 million from remaining LFHS funds after security upgrades leaves $11.1 million available; officials say this balances educational quality with financial stewardship so that Encore Academy can serve students effectively into the future.