Middle-school construction on schedule; board accepts $19.55 million Lee County contribution

Hobbs Municipal Schools project staff told the school board on Oct. 21 that the Del Norte and Hauser middle-school construction projects are progressing on schedule and within budget, and the board approved a county capital-outlay contribution of $19,549,718 to support the effort.

Why it matters: The two middle-school builds are major capital projects for the district; the county funds will be used as part of the construction and reimbursement process described to the board.

Project manager Mr. Young (presentation) said crews have completed footings, moisture barriers and are erecting steel in the academic wings (areas B and C), and that Del Norte is slightly ahead of Hauser in the construction sequence. He outlined upcoming work including HVAC/electrical engineering submissions to the Public School Facilities Authority (PSFA) for potential systems-based assistance, a facility master-plan kickoff on Nov. 10, security vestibule installations and a multipurpose/turf replacement scheduled to begin Dec. 1.

Board action: School leaders presented the county’s resolution approving capital-outlay support; the board moved to accept the Lee County Commission contribution of $19,549,718 and recorded a unanimous voice vote. The motion carried. The district said county funds will be requested on a reimbursement basis as construction invoices are submitted.

Other project details shared included replacement and repair timelines for roofing, camera upgrades and central-kitchen generator and freezer work the district reported as completed.

Ending: District staff said work will continue around campus perimeters and that the facility master-plan process will begin in November with public and committee engagement to set five-year priorities.