Firms Waive Fees on Uvalde Replacement School Project

By Eric Althoff

UVALDE, Texas—The Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District has announced that two prominent firms will work gratis to replace Robb Elementary, site of last May’s tragic shooting in which 21 people were killed.

The district is estimating the replacement school will cost between $25 million and $30 million, according to the Austin American-Statesman, and donations from the public are also being sought to cover additional expenses.

Architecture firm Huckabee and Joeris General Contractors, both of whom are well known in the Lone Star State, have agreed to waive their usual service fees for the project. Other details are being worked out under a new organization called Uvalde CISD Moving Forward Foundation.

Understandably, given the horrific nature of the mass shooting there last summer, the Uvalde CISD is also investing in security enhancements for the new school.

Robb Elementary, which was built in the 1960s, is due for demolition, and the site for the new school building has yet to be determined. Meanwhile, Robb’s students are attending the nearby Flores Elementary. District personnel have hinted that a memorial may be installed at the site of Robb Elementary after the school building is razed.