by Sloane Delaney (Posted on October 20, 2026 @ 12:45 p.m.)

Alamo Heights Junior School started renovating its track in July 2026 to address safety concerns caused by ripped turf. The school also plans to expand the cafeteria, with construction expected to begin in December 2027. The school started the bond project on the track in July 2026 after Alamo Heights High School finished its construction. A bond project helps pay for improvements to school buildings and facilities. Bartlett Cocke is the construction company working on projects throughout the district.

The school decided to renovate the track because it had become a safety issue. The turf was ripped and created a hazard that could cause athletes to trip while running or practicing. Fixing the track will help make it safer for students who use it during athletics and other school activities.

“It was outdated and needed to be redone. We decided to start with the track because it was a safety factor because of the ripped turf, and after time it needs to get improved,” Dr. Guthrie said.

Another future construction project includes remodeling the gyms and expanding the sixth-grade building. These projects are expected to be ready by the time school starts next year. The improvements will provide students and staff with more space and better facilities to use throughout the school day.

“The gyms and new sixth-grade building should be done by the time school starts next year,” Dr. Guthrie said.

There is no set completion date for the track renovation. This creates challenges for cross-country athletes because they do not know exactly when they will be able to return to their normal practice routines. Students and coaches may have to adjust their schedules and find other places to practice while construction continues. Although these changes may be inconvenient, the improvements are intended to make the facilities safer for students in the future.

The school will also be expanding the gyms to provide more space for athletes to practice and participate in sports. Improved gym facilities could make it easier for students to use the space during practices and school activities. The sixth-grade building will be expanded so classrooms can be bigger and provide more room for students and staff. Larger classrooms could help teachers organize lessons and give students more space to learn comfortably.

Another construction project at Alamo Heights Junior School will be remodeling the cafeteria. The project is expected to begin in December 2027. The renovations will help improve the cafeteria for students and staff. During construction, students may experience changes to their normal lunch routines, depending on which areas are closed and how the school organizes meals. The school may need to make temporary arrangements so students can continue eating lunch while the work is completed. Although these changes could be inconvenient, the improvements are intended to make the cafeteria a better space for everyone.

Bartlett Cocke will continue working on the school’s bond projects to make these improvements possible. Each project is intended to improve the school’s facilities and provide students with better spaces for learning, practicing sports, and eating lunch.

In conclusion, the construction projects at Alamo Heights Junior School are important steps toward improving the school for students and staff. Although the renovations may cause temporary inconveniences, such as changes to athletic practices and cafeteria routines, the completed projects are expected to provide safer and more useful spaces. Students and staff will need to be patient while the work continues. Once the projects are finished, the school community will be able to benefit from improved facilities for years to come.