Wichita Falls ISD Superintendent Donny Lee said construction crews are nearing completion on the $14 million project converting McNeil Middle School into McNeil Elementary School, with several wings already taking final shape. Lee shared an update during a walk-through of the building this week, describing how the former middle school library and classroom blocks are being reconfigured for elementary grades.
What the converted building will include
Lee said a new library is being built in the center of the building, featuring see-through glass and a custom design. The library will connect into a kindergarten wing on one side and a second-grade wing that runs through to a new fifth-grade wing equipped with adjacent learning spaces.
- Color-coded hallways throughout the building, with each wing assigned its own theme color
- Bathrooms inside each kindergarten classroom
- A separate kindergarten-only playground enclosed by a concrete barrier and fencing
- Layout designed to keep younger students separated from older grades
'Now, what you can see is the elementary students are going to receive is a library built in the middle of this space, full of see-through glass,' Lee said. 'Really nice custom design. And it's going to filter right into the kinder wing, second grade wing and on down into the new fifth grade wing.'
Construction progress
Lee said the kindergarten wing has progressed from open framing to nearly finished classrooms and bathrooms since the last public update. Walls are up, woodwork is installed, and finish-out work is underway. The kindergarten playground area has a concrete barrier in place, with fill material staged for grading. Lee said crews plan to grass the playground area and install perimeter fencing once leveling is complete.
The conversion is part of WFISD's broader campus realignment plan. According to the district, the project is funded through approved bond money allocated for elementary capacity changes.