Canutillo ISD reviews schematic designs for bond projects; board, community press on security, HVAC and roofing

Canutillo ISD Board of Trustees reviewed schematic designs and preliminary scopes for multiple bond-funded projects and renovations during a public meeting; trustees and community members emphasized security vestibules, full heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) replacements and roof repairs or cleaning as top priorities.

The presentations covered new-construction campus plans and renovation scopes across several campuses, and architects repeatedly identified a short list of "nonnegotiable" items: secured entry vestibules, camera and access-control upgrades, replacement of HVAC equipment where needed and roof work to address drainage and leaks. "These items are noted as non negotiable on each project slide that you have in the packets," said Christian Nihadiz, project manager at Nihadiz Lawn Architects, during a run-through of three elementary-school renovation packages.

Why it matters: the decisions will affect construction budgets, the timing of work and the school year schedule for students at multiple campuses. Board members pressed the architects and program managers for clearer cost estimates, firm schedules and third-party review for roofing conclusions.

Most important details

- Scope priorities: Architects and steering committees repeatedly ranked security upgrades, HVAC replacement and roof work as the top priorities for the bond projects. Security work typically included a secured vestibule, upgraded cameras and access control.

- Renovations covered: presentations named Bill Childress Elementary School, Jose H. Banyan Elementary School and Gonzalo and Sofia Garcia Elementary School among the renovation projects; project alternates were noted for items such as additional restrooms, playground canopies, gym/stage audio and new classroom finishes.

- New campuses and site design: separate design teams presented schematic layouts for new campuses including an early-college high school and two middle-school sites. Architects described site circulation plans that separate parent drop-off and bus routes, recessed multiuse courts framed by cafeteria/PE spaces, and outdoor learning courtyards.

- Community input and attendance: staff reported an earlier community meeting (Jan. 16) with roughly 70 attendees and said teams had left the community survey open to gather additional input that was incorporated into schematic materials.

Concerns and follow-up items

- Roofing: several trustees pressed architects about whether full re-roofing is required. Architects reported evidence of debris clogging drains and deterioration at roof flashings and recommended cleaning, replacement of deteriorated wood blocking and resealing as immediate steps. Architects also said they would bring a district-hired roofing consultant to verify whether full replacement is required and to provide construction oversight. A district representative told the board that an owner-side roofing consultant RFQ appears later in the consent agenda.

- HVAC lead times and warranty: architects warned that long lead times for replacement HVAC equipment could push some installations into October or winter breaks rather than the summer; a presenter said workmanship warranties are commonly two years and that warranty terms would be part of contractor agreements.

- Schedule and budgets: design teams said schematic design is preliminary and that design development would refine scopes and costs, with a target to complete design development in April (timeline given in meeting remarks). Presenters said they would try to maximize summer work where possible but flagged that some equipment lead times and site constraints could change plans.

- Site-specific studies: board members requested geotechnical (geotech) reports, formal traffic impact analyses and detailed cost estimates for alternates. Presenters confirmed geotechnical work is planned and said traffic studies would be completed as part of the next design phase.

Quotes from presenters and trustees

"These items are noted as non negotiable on each project slide that you have in the packets," said Christian Nihadiz, project manager at Nihadiz Lawn Architects, describing the renovation priorities for three elementary campuses.

"We did have a community wide meeting that was well attended," the program manager said, describing the district's public-engagement cadence and the survey kept open after the meeting.

Board direction and next steps

Trustees asked program staff and architects to (1) provide a more detailed schedule with milestone dates for schematic design, design development and construction procurement; (2) bring a third-party roofing consultant to confirm whether re-roofing is necessary at specific campuses and to review warranty language; (3) provide refined cost estimates for alternates and the prioritized nonnegotiables; and (4) complete geotechnical and traffic impact studies during the design-development phase.

Ending

Presenters and staff said they will return to the board with updated design-development packets, refined budgets and the requested third-party roofing and traffic analyses before the board takes further approvals. The district indicated it will prioritize security vestibules, HVAC replacements and roof work when allocating construction funds under the 2024 bond program.