Ector County Independent School District trustees received a monthly update on June 17 showing active work at several major capital projects, including a groundbreaking this week for a new career and technical education center and ongoing construction at a new middle school campus.

Why it matters: The projects are central to the district’s capital plan and shift instructional capacity and athletics/fine-arts facilities across multiple campuses. The largest project, the CTE center, is intended to serve full‑time and part‑time students and is tied to bond or capital-program financing that the district is actively managing.

The board heard that the CTE center groundbreaking occurred the same day as the meeting and that site preparation is already underway. Superintendent Dr. Boyer told trustees the district is “looking forward to January of 2027 when it is open,” and staff said the facility is planned to serve 400 full‑time students and about 2,000 daily participants in career and technical electives.

Trustees saw a construction update on the district middle school project that included poured concrete slabs, extensive steel erection and ongoing utility installation; staff said utilities (water, electrical, fire suppression and sanitary) are about 60 percent complete. The presentation noted work on two gymnasiums and the auditorium at that campus, and indicated site work for athletics will continue through the remainder of the program.

Architectural and renovation work on the main auditorium at an existing high-school campus also was presented. Key details in the plan include reconfigured seating with similar capacity, upgraded acoustics (wood slat panels and ceiling clouds), dimmable LED house lights, new carpet and aisle lighting, a 12‑foot stage extension to accommodate orchestral performances, renovated dressing rooms, and reconstruction of the auditorium’s exterior back wall to provide an expanded scene shop and prop storage; staff said the back wall will be moved about 18 feet toward the parking lot. The design also includes provisions for a future LED wall, with required electrical and structural supports included though funding for an LED wall is not part of the current contract.

The board approved amendments to architectural services with Park Hill Architects for two projects: transportation/maintenance facility work re-scoped from a new build to renovation after a property change, and a revised scope for Austin Elementary (work evolved from renovation to full demolition and rebuild after further investigations). Staff said demolition at Austin Elementary could start this summer and that construction timelines are roughly in the neighborhood of months rather than years, with demolition and site work to begin shortly and a typical construction schedule expected thereafter.

A previously approved JROTC facility contract will proceed and portable buildings have been relocated to support the site. Staff also reported the transition learning center (the Transition Learning Center) was procured via proposals, evaluations have been completed, the recommended contractor and a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) will be brought back for board approval next month, and the project is within the current budget envelope.

Staff emphasized that some landscaping and hardscaping work is often one of the last phases so those elements may not be completed until late in each project. Board members asked clarifying questions about the auditorium scene shop, the ability to move set pieces into the stage area, and the scope differences caused by property changes.

What’s next: Trustees were told the district will bring GMPs and contract approvals back as required at upcoming meetings, and staff will continue monthly construction updates. The board approved the Park Hill contract amendments during the meeting.