On May 04, 2025, Lovejoy ISD Voters approved 98.36% of the 2025 Bond, providing critical funding for much-needed updates and renovations across all Lovejoy ISD campuses and facilities. Since the bond’s passage, the District has been thoughtfully advancing through the required preparation phases, and meaningful momentum is building across Bond 2025 projects. Each initiative progresses through a careful process of planning, review, and stewardship, with all bond planning and construction items presented to the Board of Trustees for review and approval prior to action. Lovejoy ISD is proud to share the following updates as this important work continues.
2025 Bond Project Planning
Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Architectural & Professional Services
Approximately one month after the election, on June 13, 2025, a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Architectural & Professional Services was issued by Lovejoy ISD, resulting in five submissions. All submissions were evaluated based on published criteria, which included: corporate background and experience, key project personnel, financial qualifications, prior experience with Lovejoy ISD and other North Texas districts, and project management planning. The Board of Trustees voted to award VLK Architects the contract on August 25, 2025.
Request for Proposal (RFP) for Construction Manager-at-Risk
On December 1, 2025, Lovejoy ISD issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Construction Manager-at-Risk (CMAR) for the 2025 Multiple Project Construction Package. The evaluation framework consisted of four primary categories each with extensive criteria including: experience and qualifications, District needs, cost, and miscellaneous factors. The Board of Trustees voted to award Balfour Beatty Construction the contract on January 20, 2026.
First Bond Issuance - approved by Board on Date-July 28, 2025
Lovejoy ISD strategically moved forward with the first bond issuance following voter approval. On July 28, 2025, the Board of Trustees approved the first bond issuance in the amount of $80.34 million, aligned with the District’s immediate capital needs. This action ensured that critical projects could begin while positioning the District to navigate significant changes to the state’s school finance landscape.
During the 89th Legislative Session, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 4 (SB 4), increasing the homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000, which reduced the taxable property base for school districts. To protect the District’s long-term tax rate and preserve the full value of the voter-approved bonds, Lovejoy ISD moved quickly to issue the first installment in order to qualify for the hold-harmless protections included in the legislation. These protections applied only to bonds issued, not just authorized, through August 2025, making timely action both prudent and necessary.
Bond Implementation Committee
In Fall 2025, Lovejoy ISD established the Bond Implementation Committee to ensure the continued trust, transparency, and community partnership that are essential to delivering on the commitments made through the bond program. By engaging community voices throughout the implementation process, the District is working to ensure projects remain aligned with the priorities and expectations of our community.
The 20-member committee, made up primarily of individuals who previously served on the Bond Planning Committee, meets at least once each nine-week period to review progress, discuss upcoming work, and support the successful delivery of bond initiatives. They provide ongoing feedback and guidance as bond-funded projects move from planning to execution, helping the District maintain clarity, accountability, and thoughtful stewardship of community resources.
2025 Bond Project Progress
2-Way Radio System Modernization
To strengthen campus safety and emergency response, the district is replacing all two-way radio communication systems across campuses, transportation, and district operations. The upgraded system will allow direct communication between campus staff, school buses, and local first responders, improving coordination during emergencies. Equipment and infrastructure have been ordered, and the project is expected to be completed by Summer 2026.
WSMS Technology Refresh
To enhance student learning and ensure classrooms are equipped with modern instructional tools, the district is upgrading classroom technology at Willow Springs Middle School. Outdated projectors and document cameras are being replaced with 86” interactive display panels, providing clearer visuals and more engaging opportunities for student interaction and collaboration.
Each display will be paired with a compatible teacher tablet, allowing teachers to move freely throughout the classroom while managing instructional content, supporting more dynamic instruction and greater student engagement. Equipment has been ordered and installation is currently underway (March 2026).
Copy Machines
To better support teachers and staff while maximizing district resources, the district is replacing its copier fleet as the current five-year Toshiba lease agreement expires at the end of the fiscal year. Reliable, efficient access to printing and instructional materials helps ensure educators can focus on what matters most, supporting student learning.
After reviewing options and gathering feedback from teachers and staff, the Board of Trustees approved the districtwide purchase of Canon copiers in February. Moving from leased to purchased equipment will improve functionality, increase reliability for staff, and is projected to generate approximately $100,000 in annual savings within the Maintenance & Operations budget. The new copiers are scheduled to be installed during Spring Break (March 2026).
Tennis Court Projects
To support student participation and maintain high-quality facilities across Lovejoy ISD, we continue to invest in improvements to our athletic spaces. At Lovejoy High School, four of the twelve tennis courts have received new court surfaces and bench cabana covers, with the remaining courts scheduled for completion in the near future. At Willow Springs Middle School, the existing tennis court windscreens and backboard have been removed and replacement materials have been ordered. The tennis court improvements are anticipated to be completed by April 2026.
School Bus Purchase
To support student safety and maintain a reliable transportation system, Lovejoy ISD continues to invest in updating its bus fleet. Currently, seven buses in operation are 10 years old or older and in need of replacement. To address this need, five new 77-passenger buses and three 14-passenger buses have been ordered. The 14-passenger buses have already been received, and delivery of the 77-passenger buses is anticipated in Summer 2026.
Skyward Q
To enhance system efficiency and improve the experience for staff, students, and families, Lovejoy ISD is implementing the Skyward Q Student Information System. Following Board approval in December 2025, the PEIMS Department began working with Skyward to establish the migration and implementation timeline. The team is currently meeting weekly with Skyward during the consulting phase to build the database. Training for staff across multiple departments began in March, and data migration is scheduled to be completed by mid-July 2026.
Natatorium Pool Dome, Pool Liner, & Fixtures
To ensure our facilities continue to support student performance, safety, and long-term program excellence, Lovejoy ISD is investing in important upgrades to the natatorium. The District is preparing to replace the aging, end-of-life natatorium dome fabric and pool liner during Summer 2026. Additionally, upgrades to the natatorium water quality monitoring controls and restroom fixtures are planned for Fall 2026. More information on these projects will be shared in future updates.
As Lovejoy ISD continues through the planning and implementation phases of the Bond program, meaningful progress is already underway to deliver critical updates and improvements across the District. These projects represent a significant investment in our students, staff, and community, ensuring our facilities continue to support excellence in learning and opportunity.
We will continue to share updates with the community as key milestones are reached and progress unfolds. Lovejoy ISD is deeply grateful for the trust, support, and partnership of our community as we move this important work forward together.