Ector County ISD updates Bond 2023 projects; board approves two purchases over $50,000 and related actions

Ector County ISD trustees received a multi‑project Bond 2023 update on April 15 and approved two contract purchases over $50,000 tied to work on district facilities.

The bond presentation said construction on several Bond 2023 projects is moving into procurement or early construction phases. A presenter told trustees the CTE high school had reached 95 percent construction documents and that a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) would be presented to the board next month. Work at a new middle school is underway with site utilities and foundation work complete; the presenter said slab work was expected to begin the week of the meeting and that walls should begin to go vertical by the end of April. The district said both the middle school project and a county‑led widening of Tripp Avenue near the campus are being coordinated with county officials so the projects do not conflict. The presenter said the district and county are targeting an August 1, 2026 completion window for the coordinated projects.

Why it matters: Bond 2023 funds are financing multiple new and renovation projects across the district (CTE high school, middle school, transition learning center, auditorium renovations, JROTC facility and an agricultural farm). Timelines and contractor selections determine when construction impacts reach campuses and neighborhoods and when bond funds are committed.

Board action and purchases - Trustees approved two items on a list of bond‑funded purchases above $50,000: a $1,387,000 contract listed in the board packet as "Mid Tax of Midland Incorporated" for construction of a JROTC firing range; and a $59,500 contract with Advanced Environmental Services for asbestos abatement at Burleson and Travis schools in advance of reopening. The board approved the two purchases by voice vote; no recorded roll‑call was given in the transcript and no dissent was recorded.

- Trustees also approved a budget amendment presented by district finance staff. The amendment included no net change to the general fund line items overall but added approximately $1.6 million to the debt service fund to reflect interest and proceeds related to a bond defeasance payment described in the presentation. The amendment passed on a voice vote.

- The board approved a resolution authorizing the district to enter an interlocal purchasing agreement with a purchasing cooperative described in the packet. The presenter described the interlocal as providing additional purchasing options without separate RFPs. The motion passed by voice vote.

Project and procurement details provided to the board - CTE high school: 95 percent construction documents complete; GMP expected next month and a pre‑bid meeting for subcontractors was scheduled this week. - Middle school (new campus): site preparation, utility installation and spread footings in place; slab placement and vertical construction expected in late April; coordination with county Tripp Avenue widening is underway to align schedules and safety features (school‑zone markings, sidewalks, potential signal work). - Transition Learning Center: construction documents complete and submitted to the city for permitting; procurement expected to begin later in the month and a contractor recommendation was anticipated this summer. - High school auditorium renovations: nearing the end of design development; GMP expected next month. - JROTC facility: a contractor recommendation was brought forward to the board and a construction start as soon as May or June was discussed. - Technology/surveillance: hardware install complete at major high schools and some middle schools; the district has deployed the Genetec web app for video access and monitoring and continues hardware rollouts on remaining campuses.

Financial context and schedule notes The presenter reported that approximately 63 percent of bond funds remained available at the time of the presentation, and noted a roughly $5 million difference between purchase orders issued and funds paid that reflected timing lags rather than unspent project money. The district also said it has not sold all bond issuances yet and expected to schedule further bond sales in August while monitoring IRS rules about timing of bond proceeds.

Trustees asked questions about county coordination for street work, contract timing and permitting; responses referenced meetings with Judge Fawcett and county staff and ongoing coordination with the design teams and the district's construction manager at risk (named in the presentation as Keiner Construction).

Votes at a glance - Approval of "Mid Tax of Midland Incorporated" contract for JROTC firing range, $1,387,000 — approved by board voice vote (no roll call recorded). Referenced in packet: purchase over $50,000 list. - Approval of Advanced Environmental Services contract for asbestos abatement, $59,500 — approved by board voice vote (no roll call recorded). - Approval of budget amendment adjusting debt service fund for bond defeasance receipts — approved by voice vote. - Approval of interlocal purchasing agreement with purchasing cooperative — approved by voice vote.

What the record shows and what it does not The board packet and presentation supplied project schedules, 95 percent construction documents status for the CTE high school, and contractor recommendations or procurement timelines. The transcript records voice votes and motions but does not include a roll‑call tally listing individual trustee votes for the bond purchase motions.

Ending District staff asked trustees to raise questions or request further details; staff indicated they would return with GMPs and contractor recommendations at future meetings. Construction managers and the district emphasized coordination with county work on Tripp Avenue to preserve safety and schedule alignment.