Carrizo Springs Consolidated Independent School District

A Community-Focused Approach to Indoor Air Quality and Facility Renewal

In Carrizo Springs, district leaders began seeing a pattern that many Texas schools recognize, aging roofs, humidity challenges, and HVAC systems nearing the end of their useful life. What started as isolated maintenance concerns were becoming broader comfort and indoor air quality issues across campuses.

Rather than continue with temporary repairs, Carrizo Springs CISD chose to take a comprehensive approach. The district pursued a coordinated facility improvement program designed to strengthen building envelopes, modernize HVAC systems, improve moisture control, and enhance overall energy performance.

Engineering a Comprehensive Indoor Air Quality Strategy

After entering into a Project Development Agreement, E3 conducted detailed facility audits of roofing systems, HVAC equipment, crawl space conditions, building automation systems, and districtwide lighting.

The resulting base project scope represents a coordinated building envelope and mechanical systems strategy totaling $14,980,168.

Base Project Highlights

• Roofing and Building Envelope Improvements
• Repairs, slope corrections, and wet insulation replacement
• Installation of new 60-mil, 20-year TPO roof membranes at the High School and Junior High
• Maintenance walk pads for long-term serviceability

Crawl Space Moisture and IAQ Controls

• Heat-welded vapor barrier systems
• Spray foam insulation
• New groundwater drainage systems
• Dedicated Outside Air Units with active dehumidification, three per campus

HVAC and Controls Modernization

• Replacement of 100 rooftop HVAC units at the High School, each incorporating active dehumidification
• Replacement of 22-year-old chilled water air handling units at the Junior High
• Repair of failed outside air units
• Full Building Automation System setpoint and schedule reset across both campuses

Districtwide LED Lighting Retrofits

• Interior and exterior LED upgrades across all CSCISD facilities

This layered approach addresses roof integrity, moisture intrusion, ventilation, controls integration, and lighting efficiency in a single coordinated program. Rather than isolated replacements, CSCISD is implementing a systems-based solution designed to improve reliability, reduce breakdowns, lower utility costs, and create a more comfortable learning environment for students and staff.

Communicating the Project to the Community

Facility improvements of this scale impact more than mechanical systems. They influence community perception, stakeholder confidence, and long-term support for district initiatives.

Recognizing this, E3’s marketing team has worked alongside CSCISD to proactively communicate the purpose, scope, and benefits of the project.

Student Ambassador Engagement

E3 partnered with CSCISD student ambassadors to document and share the positive changes occurring across campus. Students were trained to become storytellers of their own schools, helping communicate how roofing upgrades, HVAC modernization, and lighting improvements directly enhance their daily experience.

This approach shifts the narrative from “construction project” to “student-centered investment.”

Visual Documentation and Ongoing Updates

The project team has produced construction update videos and board presentations that visually communicate progress, timelines, and scope. These updates:

• Reinforce schedule accountability
• Provide measurable progress visibility
• Demonstrate stewardship of public funds

By maintaining consistent communication through board meetings and digital platforms, CSCISD is building community understanding and buy-in as improvements progress.

More Than Infrastructure: A Community Investment

The Carrizo Springs Design-Build Facility Improvement Project demonstrates how Texas school districts can:

• Address deferred maintenance comprehensively
• Integrate indoor air quality and building envelope solutions
• Modernize HVAC and controls systems strategically
• Improve energy efficiency districtwide
• Communicate transparently with stakeholders

With completion projected in 2026, the district is not only upgrading physical assets but strengthening community confidence in its long-term facility planning.

For TASB member districts, Carrizo Springs serves as a model of how technical execution, board engagement, and proactive community communication can align to deliver measurable operational and educational benefits across Texas K-12 environments.