United ISD and TxDOT Collaboration Paves the Way for New Child Nutrition Center

United Independent School District’s leaders, Board of Trustees, staff, project partners, and special guests gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the new state-of-the-art Child Nutrition Center. A project more than a decade in the making, the modern facility was made possible through an extensive collaborative effort with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) following planned infrastructure improvements along Loop 20.

What began as a critical need to relocate an essential district operation ultimately became an opportunity to secure a modern facility without requiring UISD to use district funds for its construction. The new center supports the district's responsibility of providing approximately 55,000 meals daily, including breakfast, lunch, snacks, and supper, for nearly 39,000 students across the district.

The project’s origins trace back to 2014, when district leadership first learned that the expansion of East Loop 20 would directly impact the former Child Nutrition Center. Recognizing the necessity of uninterrupted meal services, UISD leadership, legal counsel, and state officials worked together to address regional transportation needs while protecting student nutrition.

Reflecting on the journey, UISD Board Vice President Aliza Flores-Oliveros described the grand opening as a full-circle moment and the biggest achievement in her decade of service on the Board.

“I remember as a young board member, literally thinking, ‘Why can't they just develop on the other side? Why do they have to tear down our Child Nutrition Center’?” Oliveros recalled. "Mr. Santos (former superintendent) explained that TxDOT was expanding East on Loop 20, so we needed to move, but he assured us not to worry. Over ten years later, this agreement has delivered a massive benefit to both UISD and local taxpayers.”

Santos, who was involved in the project's early discussions during his tenure as superintendent, was also present for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, witnessing the completion of an undertaking that began under his administration.

UISD Board President Javier Montemayor credited the successful outcome to productive, transparent negotiations with state leaders.

"We had to sit down with the state and explain the critical function of our Child Nutrition Center, and they understood," Montemayor said. "They were very cooperative and very helpful. They recognized the essential role this facility plays for our school community."

Project legal counsel Eddie Vassallo, of Vassallo & Salazar Attorneys at Law, emphasized that discussions focused on far more than just replacing brick and mortar; the priority was safeguarding a vital lifeline for children.

"The result is a cooperative effort between the state and UISD to build something that is for the benefit of the students of UISD and something that will serve this district for decades to come," Vassallo said.

While the facility, as Vassallo explained, represents a monumental achievement in public planning, UISD Superintendent Dr. Gerardo Cruz highlighted that its true value rests in the children it feeds every day.

"Not only are we focusing on the academics of our students, but also on their social-emotional well-being, which also includes the nutritional well-being of our students," said Dr. Cruz.

Behind the daily preparation and distribution of thousands of meals is a team of Child Nutrition Services employees whose work often begins long before students arrive at school. "Our child nutrition staff is second to none,” Dr. Cruz added. .”They are always willing to go the extra mile, stay late, or come in during inclement weather to ensure our students are fed."

"Sometimes, our children at United may not eat at home. It may be the only meal they get the entire day," Montemayor added, recalling advice passed down by his late father. ‘Always leave things better than you found them,' he told me. With the opening of this center, that is exactly what we have done for our students and families."

Following a ceremonial ribbon-cutting, guests toured the newly opened 58,000 sq. foot facility to view the updated network-based equipment firsthand, including a cook-chill system able to produce thousands of meals each day, a bakery, large dry storage, freezers, student instructional areas, and expanded resources.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony brought together members of the UISD Board of Trustees, Superintendent Dr. Gerardo Cruz, former Superintendent Roberto Santos, TxDOT representatives, district administrators, Child Nutrition Services personnel, and project partners, including Leyendecker Construction of Texas, Able City, and legal counsel Vassallo and Salazar Attorneys at Law.

Child Nutrition Center Staff preparing loaves of bread.

Superintendent Dr. Cruz and former Superintendent Mr. Santos pictured with Board of Trustees Members Mr. Aguilar, Mr. Montemayor, Mrs. Aliza Flores-Oliveros, and Mr. Veliz.  

Large scale meal production equipment.