ECISD bond update: CTE documents near completion, middle school construction underway, multiple projects moving to procurement

ODESSA, Texas — Ector County Independent School District staff updated trustees Feb. 18 on the status of the district's 2023 bond program, reporting progress across several projects and timelines for procurement and construction.

The district said the Career and Technical Education facility design is at about 75% in construction documents and is approaching the procurement stage to establish a guaranteed maximum price (GMP). Staff said a page-turn review was performed by PBK Architects, the construction manager at risk, and Gallagher Construction with district oversight present to align construction documents and estimates.

For the new middle school, site clearing and foundation work are under way and the project is currently in construction; staff said the campus is expected to be operational by February (date not specified). Permian High School auditorium renovations remain in design, with acoustic improvements under consideration and assessments being done of whether electrical upgrades will be required.

The JROTC facility was reported to be out for bid, with a contractor recommendation planned for the next board meeting. The Transition Learning Center is in design development with DLR as the architect and is anticipated to move to procurement in April–May with construction to begin in summer. The CTE Ag Farm is in design development; district staff are confirming septic and drain-field locations so procurement can begin in May and June for summer construction starts.

District staff also reported progress on technology and fine-arts components connected to bond projects: cabling and equipment installation have been completed at a number of campuses; more than 1,000 classroom instruments have been ordered and many delivered; risers have been delivered to several middle schools.

Trustees were told some projects will use a construction manager at risk procurement method and will proceed to GMPs (CTE facility, Permian auditorium, others), while smaller or less complex projects will use traditional bid methods. Staff noted planned procurement windows: some GMP procurements in March–May with groundbreaking anticipated in summer months.

Board members were also told that Gallagher Construction will perform oversight for the Transition Learning Center under a $360,000 contract approved later in the meeting.

What trustees were told and what remains

- CTE facility: 75% construction documents; moving toward GMP and groundbreaking in June if procurement aligns as expected. - Middle school: site clearing and foundation work in progress; district stated it expects the building to be operational by February (year not specified in presentation). - Permian auditorium: design phase with acoustic and electrical assessments ongoing; procurement window March–May with anticipated GMP and summer groundbreaking. - JROTC: project out for bid; contractor recommendation expected next month. - Transition Learning Center: design development with procurement planned April–May; construction expected to begin in summer. - CTE Ag Farm: design development and on-site work to confirm septic/drain fields; procurement May–June.

The presenter asked the board if there were questions; none were recorded in the open session transcript beyond clarification requests about timelines and color choices for the new middle school. The Bond Oversight Committee's first annual report was announced for presentation next month.

The presentation referenced PBK Architects, Gallagher Construction, DLR, the construction manager at risk procurement method, and other consultants involved in the bond program. No additional contract awards other than the Gallagher oversight item were voted on during the update.

District staff said they will return to the board as projects move from design to GMP and construction.