Neighbors applaud new Geneva Heights design but worry about safety at temporary campus

Geneva Heights Elementary. Rendering courtesy of BRW Architects.

When BRW Architects presented neighbors with the design for the new Geneva Heights Elementary, neighbors were pleased.

In the community meeting held Feb. 9, neighbors said they liked that the architects had promised to preserve the original 1931 building. They were happy with the placement of the gardens and playgrounds. They appreciated the second-floor porch area where students could do messy science experiments or art projects.

But neighbors had some questions about what would happen before the new school, which will have a capacity of 750 students, is constructed and ready for use.

The anticipated timeline for the project is as follows. At the end of the school year in May, everything in Geneva Heights will be packed up, and Dallas ISD officials will meet with staff and parents at the old Jill Stone Elementary, where Geneva Heights students and staff will be moving while construction is ongoing in our neighborhood.

Right now, the district is working to cleanup, rebrand and paint Jill Stone and prepare it for inspections. The goal is to make it feel as similar to Geneva Heights as possible. Jill Stone can hold 420 students, but with the added portables and converted classroom spaces, its capacity is closer to 515-525.

The district is aiming to complete all of this by spring break so that the campus can be open for tours.

Then over the summer, everything will be moved to Jill Stone and unpacked so classes can begin in August 2022.

Abatement and selective demolition of Geneva Heights will happen fall 2022, and construction is expected to be completed by summer 2024, so classes can begin at the new school in fall 2024.

Keep up with the status of this project through the district website.

At the meeting, parents had questions about safety at Jill Stone.

DISD representatives said they planned to install a 6-foot or 8-foot fence and make sure doorbell buzzers, door locks, fire alarms, smoke alarms, burglar alarms and elevators are functioning properly.

David Bates, an assistant superintendent over maintenance and facilities, also brought up other cases where school communities were wary of moving to other locations but ended up enjoying their experiences.

“We’re stronger if we stay together, so moving the school instead of splitting the school up or sharing the school, this is the right move,” Bates said. “And we have proof, because we do it as many times as we possibly can.”

He also said he would work with campus police officers to come up with a safety plan.

Parents also had questions about transportation to and from Geneva Heights and the former Jill Stone.

The district said it will be chartering buses to transport students. There aren’t details about that yet, but parents should receive a survey regarding pick-up and drop-off. The district also hasn’t made any plans about after-school care.

A recording of the Feb. 9 meeting is available here.