The Vidor Independent School District board received its monthly bond-construction update Aug. 19, hearing that multiple campus projects are advancing and that scope changes at Pine Forest Elementary will add stormwater and fire-suppression infrastructure.

In a presentation to the board, the districts construction manager said Byron Middle School has completed foundation pier work on two wings and the field house, plumbing rough-in is underway in the 400 wing, and steel delivery is expected in September. Oak Forest Elementarys parent queuing lane was completed before the first day of school, the new addition pad has finished pier drilling and pouring, and footings and reinforcement steel are progressing.

Vidor Elementary (referred to in the presentation as Viter E) received its final construction permit on the preceding Friday and the district issued a notice to proceed the day of the board meeting, the presenter said. Construction at Vidor Elementary will begin with the parent queuing lane followed by classroom wings; the district plans a meeting with staff and teachers to finalize interior finish selections.

Pine Forest Elementary required two scope changes after site engineering review: the district will add a retention pond to account for an additional 10,000 square feet of impervious area beyond earlier allowances and will install a dedicated fire-water tank because existing water pressure is insufficient to support sprinkler systems in the new addition. The presenter said the Pine Forest guaranteed-maximum-price (GMP) will likely be before the board next month.

The board also heard that design work continues for Vidor High School, with practice-gym plans expected soon and a broader renovation package due in early December; the practice gym work could start in October with other high-school phases beginning in February.

Discussion vs. decision
- Discussion: The construction update was informational; trustees and staff asked questions about retention-pond location, drainage connections to the local ditch, the planned reorientation of Pine Forests main entrance, and timing for the gym remodel at Vidor High.
- Direction/Assignment: Staff said they would return with the Pine Forest GMP for board review and would provide project renderings when available.
- Formal action: No construction contracts or GMPs were approved at the meeting; the update was presented and discussed.

Clarifying details
- Engineers determined the site required accounting for an additional 10,000 square feet of impervious area; a previously granted credit reduced the retention area to 10,000 square feet rather than a larger amount.
- Because site water pressure at Pine Forest cannot support sprinklers for the addition, the project will include a dedicated fire-water tank near the retention pond to supply the fire-suppression system.

Why this matters
Bond-funded construction reshapes campus entries, traffic flow and classroom capacity across the district and adds infrastructure (stormwater and fire suppression) needed to meet code and design requirements. The board can expect future agenda items asking for GMP approval and contract awards as designs are finalized.

Ending note
Staff said they would provide updated schedules and renderings when available and expected to present the Pine Forest GMP at a board meeting in the coming month.