Kilgore ISD construction timeline pushed into March; district and contractor outline phased occupancy plan

Kilgore ISD trustees heard a detailed construction update Tuesday showing the high school build is now expected to reach substantial completion in March after weather and scope changes, and that portions of the campus could be occupied in phases once the city issues certificates of occupancy.

The contractor told the board, “we've had almost 90 weather delays. We've also added 90 days for changes in the scope of work,” and later explained that the city must grant a certificate of occupancy before students may be moved into classrooms. The contractor said, “the city won't give us a CO or let you occupy. You can move furniture in and do stuff like that. They won't let you put students in there until the whole building is done because it's all tied together.”

Why it matters: the construction affects when students and programs can use new classrooms, the scheduling of district moves, and related work such as asbestos abatement and utility tie‑ins. School officials and the contractor described a phased plan that would allow parts of the building (band hall, orchestra, dance areas and some commons spaces) to be completed and used ahead of the final classroom wing work.

Key facts from the update included that the schedule shift moves completion from a previously stated December date into March; the contractor said the three‑month shift is driven by nearly 90 weather delays since October plus added time for district‑requested scope changes. The contractor described sequencing challenges: concrete pours and steel work pause during rain, long lead items such as auditorium electrical and rooftop work that depend on dry weather, and coordination with SWEPCO for the main electrical feed and transformer energization.

Contractors and district staff described work that is expected to be done earlier in the schedule — the band and fine‑arts spaces, some dining areas and administrative spaces — and other elements that will remain under construction longer, including the south classroom wing, kitchen and weight room. The Career and Technical Center (CTC) was described as “on track to be usable by August,” with the contractor noting the district will need to coordinate moves and vendors to occupy spaces as they become safe and certified.

Trustees and staff also discussed asbestos abatement in older gym areas that must be completed before demolition stages can proceed. The contractor said demolition timing is tied to the district’s abatement schedule and that certain foundation piles (piers) will require cranes and additional sequencing.

Board members asked whether crews are working weekends; the contractor confirmed weekend work is occurring where practical to recover time. A trustee noted the information was “good to know” after hearing the inspection and CO requirements.

The district and contractor did not provide a firm date for full school occupancy beyond the March completion estimate, and they said final occupancy depends on the city inspections and certificates of occupancy for each phased area. No formal board action was taken on the construction update during the meeting.

Documentation and next steps: the contractor provided recent photographs and aerial flyovers to the board and said the project team will continue to report progress at subsequent meetings. The district indicated it would coordinate vendor moves and abatement work to match phased occupancy windows.