The Lake Travis Independent School District Board of Trustees approved on Sept. 17 a phase 1 guaranteed maximum price (GMP) of $46,362,650 with American Constructors for site preparation work related to the new High School 2, located off Highway 71 and Reimers Road in the western part of the district.

Pam (finance) described the phase 1 GMP as covering early site work — grading, excavation, fill, erosion controls, paving, site concrete and some retaining walls — that administration said had to proceed to meet the projected opening timeline. “Given the timeline required to ensure the timely opening of the new high school, administration determined [it] needed to proceed with a phase 1 GMP,” Pam said.

Trustees engaged in an extended debate before the vote that covered enrollment projections, construction timing and long-term operating costs. Trustee Rob Aird urged caution, saying recent demographics show lower-than-projected enrollment and calling the full project a potential “$200,000,000 bet” if the district builds now rather than waits. Aird noted the district’s current enrollment was about 10,910, roughly 500 students below prior projections, and argued delaying construction could avoid paying more to operate a second campus without corresponding enrollment growth.

Other trustees pushed back. Trustee Lauren White and supporters said postponing could be self-fulfilling — that not building could reduce the district’s ability to compete for families — and described the new high school as a strategic investment to offer a different campus experience and retain or attract students. “I think we will attract a lot fewer families if that’s not happening,” White said.

Trustees asked technical questions about how a construction manager at risk (CMAR) and a GMP work. Administration explained that the CMAR sets the GMP and accepts responsibility for performance within the defined scope; scope changes outside the GMP (for example, permitting-driven changes) can lead to amendments. Several trustees and administrators said the phase 1 GMP was a way to begin critical site work while the remainder of the project is priced and scheduled.

The motion to approve the phase 1 GMP was made by Trustee Chris Woodcock, seconded by Phil (board member), and carried unanimously. The superintendent is authorized to negotiate and execute the GMP amendment as required. Administration outlined a site-completion target of April 2026 and building completion target of June 2028, with move-in and FF&E activities ahead of an August 2028 opening window described during the presentation.

Trustees also discussed operating costs of a second high school and estimated net annual operating costs of about $2 million to $3 million, depending on staffing and allocations. Board members said they would commission an updated demographic study this fall, which administration said should provide improved enrollment timing and projections.