Mesquite ISD approves Lee Lewis as construction manager at risk and an early GMP to relocate tennis courts at North Mesquite High School

Mesquite Independent School District trustees approved Lee Lewis Construction as the construction manager at risk (CMAR) for the North Mesquite High School addition and renovations and approved an early GMP to relocate the school’s tennis courts, actions the board said are needed to keep the bond-funded project on schedule.

The approvals, made at the July 14 board meeting, follow an evaluation of 11 responses to the district’s CMAR request for proposals opened on June 2, 2025. School staff and the district’s construction adviser evaluated proposals on criteria the board said are governed by the Texas Education Code, including vendor reputation, demonstrated ability, proposed fees, personnel, past performance and long-term costs. Jay Russell and district construction staff said Lee Lewis was selected as “best value” based on proposed fees, team experience and references.

The CMAR selection and the early GMP for tennis-court relocation were presented as linked steps: staff said the courts must be moved ahead of other construction activities in the fall so work on the addition and renovations can proceed without schedule conflicts. The early GMP includes allowances to relocate existing Musco lights and to provide the primary power needed at the new location; staff said the GMP and subsequent cost estimates remain “tracking within the total project anticipated costs” identified during the bond process.

Trustee Ferguson moved to approve Lee Lewis Construction as CMAR; the motion passed. The board also approved the early GMP to relocate the tennis courts; a motion and second were made and the item carried. Board members thanked district staff and the contractor representatives for clear background materials about evaluation criteria and scoring.

Discussion points recorded in the meeting included the district’s prior approvals of schematic design in May 2025 and the use of the CMAR procurement method, the 11 proposals received, and the district’s intention to begin sequencing and scheduling work after the CMAR approval. Staff identified Mason Nelson and Ty Parsons as part of the proposed Lee Lewis team with prior Mesquite ISD project experience.

Next steps described by staff are finalizing the CMAR contract, completing GMP estimating and sequencing for construction, and proceeding with the early tennis-court work so on-site phasing remains on schedule. No additional budget figures or individual vote tallies beyond the board’s recorded “ayes” were provided in the meeting record.