Bond construction on schedule, stormwater and waterline issues remain; city to replace old water main, saving district about $192,000

Cameron Holloman, bond program manager for CASTLEBERRY INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT, and contractors reported a construction update on the district's 2024 high school bond project and said the work remains on schedule and within budget while a few external infrastructure items are still pending.

The nut graf: contractors said roughly 30% of construction is complete, most decking is installed, underground piers are being finished and the project team expects to complete major infrastructure connections once third-party permits and utility work are finished.

Holloman told the board the team has three priorities: finish on schedule, stay within budget and meet safety requirements. "We're gonna complete this on time. We're gonna stay within budget, and we're gonna do it in compliance of all the safety guidelines, in order to provide a great learning environment for our students," he said.

Contractors from BTC and DTC expanded on site work. They said drilling for piers is nearly finished and that storm-water drainage connections are the next major milestone, but one connection depends on an outside carrier (AT&T), which is delaying the schedule for that piece. Financially, the project team estimated the construction is about 30% complete while the district has paid roughly 25% of BTC invoices; a pay application was on the superintendent's desk at the time of the meeting.

A waterline dispute that had threatened to fall to the district's cost was resolved in favor of the district: the city has agreed to replace a corroded ductile iron water main under its long-range replacement plan, meaning the district will not fund the replacement. One contractor explained the district had budgeted about $192,000 for potential reimbursement for that work; with the city undertaking the replacement, that roughly $192,000 can be reallocated to library/media-center work or other bond-package adjustments. "So now with them doing the work, we would not be responsible to replace this line," a contractor said.

The board heard additional construction details: bids for the media center and the black-box (theatrical) space were publicly advertised and district staff believe the results fit the established bond budget; the media center work could be ready for the August 2026 school-year opening if approved. Project speakers also recommended taking advantage of shared mobilization and crane resources when the new building ramps up construction in late winter to save costs.

There was no action taken at the meeting on the bond report; the presentation was informational and the board did not vote on any change orders or contract awards at this time. The team will return with contract and bid recommendations when required for formal board action.

Ending: staff said they will return with contract recommendations and pay-application details as the project moves forward.