DeBrenham field cleared after flood; insurance bids and code updates delay repair contract

The DeBrenham field was cleared and mowed after flood damage, district staff reported at the July 8 board meeting, but full repair work remains pending while insurance and code issues are resolved.

Superintendent Luck said maintenance crews mowed and cleaned the site after the school district received written permission to access the property. Miss Merchant, the district’s insurance liaison, said the district received three bids for repair; one was disqualified for incorrect formatting and two bids remain under evaluation. CCMSI (the district’s insurance administrator) has asked vendors to revise cost estimates to account for recent code changes and updated pricing, Merchant said.

District staff told trustees that electrical equipment and irrigation systems were damaged by flooding and that a new transformer and updated wiring may be required before the site can be returned to regular use. Merchant said some electrical work cannot proceed until Excel (the utility) confirms it is safe to energize the site. The district also expects irrigation and topsoil replacement (district staff referenced approximately six inches of replacement soil and new sod in bid materials) and cleanup of sprinkler valves and fixtures.

Why it matters: DeBrenham is a community athletic facility used by the district; cleanup and repairs impact athletics scheduling and neighborhood perceptions. Trustees asked for clearer public updates and for district staff to provide the board with the full insurance documentation and scope-of-work estimates.

Next steps: staff said they will distribute the detailed 19‑page insurance correspondence and revised bids to board members and will return with the insurance administrator’s recommendation once apples‑to‑apples cost comparisons and code requirements are resolved.