Staff moving into new Bryan ISD operations complex

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – Bryan ISD employees began moving into the brand new operations facility, the Ruby Haliburton Auxiliary Complex, on Friday.

The complex was funded by a 2020 bond approved by voters and broke ground in January of 2023.

The facility will house several ‘behind the scenes’ departments within the district, like transportation, nutrition, records, maintenance and custodial.

“One thing that I’m super excited about is just being able to coordinate a lot of activities together,” Executive Director of Auxiliary Services Ron Clary said.

Clary called the new building a ‘morale booster’ for its employees. Not only will the new building foster collaboration, Clary said it’ll also help the district cut costs.

”Currently, they are housed in different facilities throughout different areas. Just having everybody in one facility is a much more efficient and cost-effective model,” he added.

The departments, now centralized, also received major upgrades to accommodate the growing district.

It takes over 100 school buses to transport Bryan ISD students to and from school, stretching as far as the eye can see.

Overseeing that many vehicles requires a lot of maintenance. The district can do all of that maintenance on-site with upgraded equipment.

Juan Chapa, shop manager for the district’s transportation and bus driver, said their previous building was outdated ‘probably about 40 years,’ and isn’t built for modern school buses.

Now he and his maintenance team have more space and better tools.

“The oil change tech, she’ll have a lift to where she doesn’t have to climb into a pit anymore. She’ll just basically raise the bus up,” he said.

The transportation maintenance team now has access to new equipment, an expanded refueling station and a bus wash.

Chapa said he’s excited to get to work.

“I’m hoping that this will help motivate everybody else into the same way that I think. Like I told you, somebody on my bus is going to save the world,” he said.

Bryan ISD plans to have a building dedication ceremony around the time the 2024-2025 school year begins.