Rockport-Fulton ISD trustees approve bond purchases, intercom upgrade and new approval thresholds as construction continues
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Summary
The Rockport-Fulton ISD Board of Trustees on a unanimous vote approved several bond-related purchases and an intercom upgrade, updated authorization limits for construction change orders, and received a construction progress update on the Bond 2022 projects.
The Rockport-Fulton Independent School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve several purchases and policy updates tied to the district's Bond 2022 construction program during its regular meeting.
Trustees approved purchases for the new high school and related owner-requested changes after hearing a construction update from Teal Construction and Claycomb Associates. The board also amended district signers on a TexPool investment account and updated delegated spending authority for construction change orders.
The action items were presented as part of the board's Bond 2022 update, which included progress reports on Rockport-Fulton High School and Fulton Elementary. Board materials and presenters said the high school additions and renovations were approximately 53% complete and that substantial completion was scheduled for December 2025. Fulton Elementary was reported as roughly 90% complete, with substantial completion scheduled for May 2025.
On specific motions, the board approved: - A resolution amending authorized representatives for the RFISD TexPool investment account (motion by Trustee Nikki Yarnell; second by Trustee Bonnie Randall). Motion carried 7–0. - Purchase of furniture for the high school project not to exceed $550,000, to be paid from bond soft-cost funds (motion by Trustee Mikaela Austin; second by Trustee Bonnie Randall). Motion carried 7–0. - Purchase of interactive video displays (not to exceed $90,000) and network switches (not to exceed $95,000) for the new high school (motion by Trustee Nikki Yarnell; second by Trustee Mikaela Austin). Motion carried 7–0. - An upgrade of the high school intercom system, up to $275,000 to be paid from the owner’s betterment contingency; presenters said the digital intercom will run over the district network and does not increase the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) (motion by Trustee Bonnie Randall; second by Trustee Logan Burton). Motion carried 7–0. - Use of contract contingency funds for change requests identified as CR32 (watering), CR28R (HVAC equipment price increase) and CR44 (canopy footing) (motion by Trustee Eli Ramos; second by Trustee Nikki Yarnell). Motion carried 7–0. - An update to the district’s authorization thresholds for approving minor construction modifications: superintendent authority up to $15,000; bond/facility committee authority for $15,000–$50,000; board approval required over $50,000 (motion by Miss Bridal; second by Trustee Nikki Yarnell). Motion carried 7–0.
Board members and presenters emphasized that several of these purchases were taken on by the district (rather than the construction manager) to reduce costs charged to the GMP. District staff and the architects described ongoing masonry veneer, window installation, HVAC ductwork and interior finishes at the high school; sound-wall work and interior finishes were singled out for band and choir spaces. For Fulton Elementary staff noted the new classroom wing was nearing completion and punch-list work continued in renovated areas.
The consent agenda passed on a 7–0 vote. The board recessed into executive session at 7:38 p.m. under the Texas Government Code sections cited in the agenda.
The board vote tally for each listed action was recorded in the meeting minutes as unanimous (7–0). Presenters repeatedly told the board that some upgrades were paid from contingency or owner betterment funds and would not increase the GMP for the Bond 2022 project.
