In the four years since voters in Southeast Texas approved a $2 billion bond for construction in the Houston Independent School District, there's been progress on many of the campuses that were slated to be opened. In fact, six new schools are opening as the school year gets underway.
ABC 13 Investigative Reporter Ted Oberg uncovered documents, though, that show many campuses have been delayed for one reason or another.
From Oberg's report:
"...there is a cloudy future to the sunny announcements coming from HISD brass: There are delays in at least ten of the 40 schools that HISD pledged to renovate or rebuild in 2012, HISD documents suggest.
HISD isn't cancelling any projects, but promised openings could be delayed anywhere from a few months to a year or more if schedules do not catch up.
Bellaire High is probably the school having the biggest delay issues, which HISD officials have long acknowledged. Original plans had Bellaire opening this week. In revamped plans, construction is not due to begin until 2017.
It's not easy to tell which of the district's other projects face problems.
An audit released Monday details how switching construction managers building a new High School for Performing and Visual Arts -- because the contractor wanted another $15 million -- cost time. The "project was delayed," an earlier audit had reported.
The management contract for the contractor overseeing Furr High School was also cancelled and re-issued, but HISD's website that tracks the bond for parents and taxpayers shows no scheduling changes."
The full report is here or you can simply watch the video below.
