Vidor ISD construction manager outlines schedule for middle school, Oak Forest projects

Joshua Bennett, the new construction project manager for Vidor Independent School District, told the board on April 20 that two bond projects—Vidor Middle School and Oak Forest Elementary—are awaiting final city permits and could begin on‑site work as soon as officials issue notices to proceed.

Bennett said an early sewer and water board issue has been resolved and that, "once the notice procedure is in place, we will also be able to begin building out a more detailed and concrete construction schedule." He said he expects earthwork to be underway within about a month and that general contractor G and G will mobilize with perimeter fencing, silt fencing, demolition and site preparation.

The projects have staged timelines, he said. For Vidor Middle School, construction will start with a new field house, then proceed through classroom wings beginning with the 200 wing and ending with the 500 wing. Bennett said the field house is currently projected for turnover in December 2025, with classroom wings completed at roughly one‑month intervals and final completion targeted for March 2026. Oak Forest Elementary's new addition has a target completion of January 2026; interior work is planned for the summer to avoid disrupting instruction.

Bennett described several planned design changes being reviewed by the architect, including a private shower for coaches and a small bank of lockers in the expanded field‑house bathroom area. "Based on feedback from the coaches, we're exploring the addition of a staff shower," he said; the architect is reviewing feasibility and potential Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.

He warned that heavy rain could make sites inaccessible to equipment and deliveries for several days and said crews are considering temporary crushed‑concrete access roads that could later be relocated. "The current idea is to use crushed concrete for this purpose," Bennett said; the final decision will be made at the preconstruction meeting with the contractor, architect and district staff.

Bennett also outlined the rough sequencing for other bond projects: documents for Bader (referred to in materials as Bider) Elementary were expected in June, Pine Forest Elementary in August and Vidor High School in December, with construction beginning about one month after plan issuance.

Board members thanked Bennett for the update and said he would return with further reports. Bennett told the board he had been on the job about a week and would be back with another update next month.