Board selects Lockwood Andrews & Newnam as construction manager for bond projects; one trustee objects over PAC donation

The Tomball ISD Board of Trustees approved selecting Lockwood Andrews & Newnam (LAN) under RFQ 988-25 to serve as construction manager‑agent/project manager for Bond 2025 projects and authorized the chief financial officer to finalize contract negotiations.

Trustee Salem made the motion to select LAN; Trustee McStravick seconded. Board discussion addressed procurement process, prior work with LAN and a disclosed political contribution. One trustee said their vote against the selection was based solely on a $10,000 contribution LAN made to a political action committee that campaigned for the bond. "My vote is based on 1 thing only and that is that Lockwood Andrews and Newnham gave $10,000 to a political action committee that campaigned for passage of this bond that will ultimately benefit their company financially," the trustee said, adding the decision "has nothing to do with my confidence in the ability of this company nor with my confidence in our staff selection process."

Trustees also raised questions about potential conflicts of interest because the superintendent's husband has worked for LAN in the past. Dr. Z, identified in the meeting as the superintendent, responded that her husband "works on the business management side of LAN" but "has no connection, never has nor will have any connection to the Tomball ISD account," and that disclosures and conflict-of-interest paperwork were completed by LAN and by district staff.

Trustees noted LAN had scored highest in the district's rubric and cited successful past work on Bond 2017 and other projects. After discussion, the motion to select LAN passed; the board chair confirmed one trustee (Miss Kratky) opposed the motion. The board authorized the CFO to finalize contract negotiations; trustees clarified that any pricing would return to the board for approval.