INVESTING IN SPACES FOR INNOVATION Infrastructure plays a key role in Bellville’s educational evolution. The district’s newest jewel, the Bellville Learning Center, came to life through strategic asset management—selling three noninstructional properties to finance a modern hub for entrepreneurship, culinary arts, and career pathways. Building on that momentum, the district broke ground on a new junior high school, funded through a 2023 community-supported bond and designed by GLS Architects with Collier Construction. The facility features engineering and construction labs, collaborative learning zones, and spaces tailored to exploration and innovation. “We’re designing for the future,” Poenitzsch says. “Every new space is built with flexibility and collaboration in mind.” The district also maintains strong vendor partnerships, including Tesco, which provides interior finishes and furniture for both new and renovated facilities. Looking ahead, BISD’s Long-Range Facilities Planning Committee is already at work on its BISD 2030 Vision, aligning infrastructure investments with projected enrollment, workforce shifts, and technology integration. “Our goal is to provide safe, effective, and futureready learning environments,” Poenitzsch says.“That means thinking not just about the next year, but the next generation.” COMMUNITY: BELLVILLE’S “SUPERPOWER” Even with limited resources, Bellville ISD continues to innovate—thanks to strong community ties. A revived Bellville ISD Education Foundation, supported entirely by local donors, now funds a College and Career Advisor position that ensures every high school student has a personalized postgraduation plan. “She meets with every student one-on-one,” Poenitzsch says. “It’s about clarity and confidence— helping them see the path ahead and connecting them to the resources and partners who can make it happen.” 182 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12
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