District bond program managers provided trustees a detailed progress update on July 21, saying the district’s $282 million bond program remains on an achievable four‑year schedule but will require phased construction, temporary swing space and portable classrooms at several campuses.

Program managers from the Laquita (program) team and contractor partners briefed the board on the bond master budget and schedule, work underway at High Point Elementary, and the fact that some campuses (including Bessie Coleman Middle School and the high school) may need portables for roughly 20 consecutive months during phased renovation. Wayne Warren, the program advisor, said weekly coordination meetings with architects, the contractor, and district staff are tracking costs “down to the penny” in the program management system.

High Point Elementary is the first school under construction and is setting the standard for subsequent campuses. Program director Melanie Reams described a four‑phase plan for High Point (completion of pre‑K–3 areas for the upcoming school year; demolition and renovation of rear wings; Fine Arts wing work timed for Thanksgiving break; and admin/cafeteria work targeting completion in August 2026). She said furniture (FF&E) will start phasing in July 2026 so the campus will be fully furnished when construction finishes.

The Waterford Oaks project is in design development; managers said roof and HVAC replacements require the facility to be vacant during work, which is driving the decision to use swing space. LACI Enrollment Center (TLC) is being prepared as a swing space site in phases so Waterford Oaks students can temporarily relocate there. The district owns ten surplus portables and will use those where feasible to reduce rental costs; program staff compared a 12‑month rental estimate of $1.5 million per campus to internal options.

Trustees pressed staff on how many portables will be required and on the decision process for using TL C as swing space. Trustee questions focused on safety, transportation burdens for families, the length of consecutive portable use (program staff said 20 straight months is anticipated in some cases), restroom and weather concerns, and requests for documentation on cost estimates. Administration pledged to revisit and document the rationale for selecting specific swing space solutions and to bring the facilities committee in for further review.

Managers also said playground installations at six elementary campuses are near completion and on schedule for an August finish, and that High Point is being used as the pilot site for new security cameras, public-address systems and clocks. Trustees requested a district communications plan to inform parents how construction will alter campus arrival and daily routines; staff said communications will be coordinated with campus leadership and the interim communications chief.