Kilgore ISD gets construction update on new high school; board authorizes partial asbestos abatement

Kilgore ISD trustees received a construction update on the new high school and the district career and technical center (CTC) and authorized partial asbestos abatement in existing buildings to support bond-related work.

Kendall Edwards of Claycomb Associates Architects and district construction staff presented photos and a progress report showing structural steel, sheathing, roof installation and early masonry work at the new high school. Presenters said classroom wings are receiving deck boards on the second floor, steel erection is under way at the main entrance, and the CTC site has utilities and a future slab schedule. The presenters said a slab for the CTC was scheduled for the 17th of the month and that building erection was planned to start April 1, weather permitting.

Architects described interior elements including a large dance and cheer room, planned glass stair enclosures and a weight room with rectangular windows. Officials said some demolition of the existing gym area will occur after the move into the new building, and that limited asbestos remediation would be required in areas to be worked on over the summer.

The board voted, 7-0, to authorize the superintendent to accept a proposal from ERI Consulting for partial asbestos abatement work in defined areas of the existing high school. District staff said the planned abatement would focus on targeted areas (practice gym, G-wing hall, laundry room and an exterior stair near the band hall) and that ERI estimated about 12–14 working days for a set of the prioritized areas; staff said they would coordinate exact scheduling to minimize disruption and to ensure the impacted spaces would be safe to return to the next day. Board materials identified the abatement work as a bond-funded soft cost; the board vote authorized using bond funds for the contract.

During discussion trustees asked about the scope and total cost: staff noted the ERI approval covered a partial abatement package and that the complete abatement for the entire existing building (if done) had been discussed elsewhere in planning and was presented in earlier documents at an amount on the order of $600,000; the board motion approved the partial abatement as presented without a full building total specified in the public motion text.

Why it matters: the partial abatement is intended to clear specific areas so the new-construction schedule and site transitions can proceed this summer and avoid delays when crews need access to connectors between the old and new facilities. Trustees were told the district would provide calendar and occupancy notices to staff and families for affected areas.

No minority- or small-business-award details were discussed at the meeting; staff said they would provide exact timeline and safety notices to relevant campus leaders once the contractor provides final scheduling.