Aug 14, 2024

Hays USD 489 BOE members tour new high school site

Posted Aug 14, 2024 10:01 AM

By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

Hays USD 489 school board members and members of the public toured the construction site for the new Hays High School on Aug. 5.

The school is part of $143 million in bond projects. The new high school, located adjacent to the current high school on 13th Street, is scheduled to be completed by fall 2025.

The current high school will be remodeled into a middle school when the new high school is complete.

Members of the school board, community and construction team stand in front of what will be locker rooms on the lower floor and the wrestling room on the upper floor. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post
Members of the school board, community and construction team stand in front of what will be locker rooms on the lower floor and the wrestling room on the upper floor. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post
The wrestling room can be seen on the upper floor. On the right is the walls of the new main gym of the new Hays High School. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post
The wrestling room can be seen on the upper floor. On the right is the walls of the new main gym of the new Hays High School. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post
Locker rooms are under construction on the west side of what will be the new football stadium. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post
Locker rooms are under construction on the west side of what will be the new football stadium. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post
Behind Hays High School Principal Shawn Henderson, right, and Superintendent Ron Wilson, left, is the new high school's second gym. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post
Behind Hays High School Principal Shawn Henderson, right, and Superintendent Ron Wilson, left, is the new high school's second gym. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post
To the left is Hays High School's new science and math wing. A commons will connect the two wings. The new auditorium is taking shape on the right. The arts and language wing is behind the auditorium. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post
To the left is Hays High School's new science and math wing. A commons will connect the two wings. The new auditorium is taking shape on the right. The arts and language wing is behind the auditorium. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post
The large door will be the opening for the concession stand for the new high school. It faces the new football stadium for Hays High School. Outdoor seating will be available for students for lunch during the school day and for concessions during football games. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post
The large door will be the opening for the concession stand for the new high school. It faces the new football stadium for Hays High School. Outdoor seating will be available for students for lunch during the school day and for concessions during football games. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post
Hays High School Principal Shawn Henderson in the cafeteria serving area of the new Hays High School. Students will receive their food here and eat in the adjacent commons. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post
Hays High School Principal Shawn Henderson in the cafeteria serving area of the new Hays High School. Students will receive their food here and eat in the adjacent commons. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post
The framing for individual bathrooms off the commons at the new Hays High School. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post
The framing for individual bathrooms off the commons at the new Hays High School. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post

Special education will have four large classrooms, including a life skills area with a kitchen in the new high school.

The high school will have an area, including a small playground, where family studies students can work with small children

The school will have an industrial kitchen for culinary arts students. The walls facing the hallway will be glass so that other students can observe what is happening in those classrooms.

A new metals shop is being constructed in the new high school, while the wood shop will stay in its current location in what will be the middle school.

Superintendent Ron Wilson said the district could not economically replicate the classroom and storage space needed for that discipline in the new high school. Hays Middle and Hays High students will both use the wood shop space in the former Hays High School CTE building.

The new school will have teacher workrooms and collaborative space for students.

Animal science and STEM will have connected classrooms on the second floor.

The school will have two creative commons where students can work on hands-on projects. Henderson described it as a miniature Hobby Lobby.

A classroom in the science and math wing is taking shape. Principal Shawn Henderson said the new school has been outfitted with abundant windows to take advantage of natural light, something that the current high school is lacking. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post
A classroom in the science and math wing is taking shape. Principal Shawn Henderson said the new school has been outfitted with abundant windows to take advantage of natural light, something that the current high school is lacking. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post
More classroom space. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post
More classroom space. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post
The new auditorium can be seen on the new Hays High School site. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post
The new auditorium can be seen on the new Hays High School site. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post
A bridge will connect the science and math wing of the new Hays High School to the new auditorium and arts and language wing. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post
A bridge will connect the science and math wing of the new Hays High School to the new auditorium and arts and language wing. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post
The beginning of the new football field can be seen from the second floor of the new Hays High School. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post
The beginning of the new football field can be seen from the second floor of the new Hays High School. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post
These are "learning stairs," which are adjacent to the commons in the new high school. They can be used as flexible study space for students or for presentations. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post
These are "learning stairs," which are adjacent to the commons in the new high school. They can be used as flexible study space for students or for presentations. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post
Tour participants walk through what will be the new Hays High School commons. The auditorium can be seen in the distance. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post
Tour participants walk through what will be the new Hays High School commons. The auditorium can be seen in the distance. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post
Inside the new Hays High auditorium, which will be attached to the arts and language wing of the school. This view faces the stage. The auditorium will have 800 seats. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post
Inside the new Hays High auditorium, which will be attached to the arts and language wing of the school. This view faces the stage. The auditorium will have 800 seats. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post
The new high school offices will be on the lower floor of the area being framed here. The offices will have windows that look onto the student commons. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post
The new high school offices will be on the lower floor of the area being framed here. The offices will have windows that look onto the student commons. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post
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