RFISD bond projects: high school 37% complete; Fulton Elementary kitchen nearing handover

Contractors gave the Rockport Fulton Independent School District Board of Trustees a progress update on the Bond 2020-2 projects, reporting that the new high school is roughly 37% complete with staged occupancy expected before overall substantial completion in December 2025, and that Fulton Elementary is 81% complete with the new dining area and kitchen near handover.

The report matters because both projects affect when students will move into new spaces, when existing facilities will be renovated and how district operations will be sequenced. Board members pressed for details about timing, noise during renovations and steps to minimize classroom disruption.

Representatives from Teal Construction and Clayco described current work at the high school: steel, masonry and sheathing are in place; most roof-mounted HVAC units are set, with a few units awaiting a crane; interior framing, ductwork, plumbing and electrical work are underway. The contractor said some building areas will be finished and available earlier than others as work proceeds in stages. The contractor reported the project at about 37% complete and listed a scheduled substantial completion of December 2025.

At Fulton Elementary the contractor reported 81% complete by billings, and that $10,380,000 of the project's $12,870,000 value has been authorized. The kitchen equipment has been installed, a walk-in cooler and freezer are in place and district staff are coordinating final inspections by the health inspector and the fire marshal. The new dining area was described as essentially complete and the contractor said he expects a final turnover for the kitchen and cafeteria within days, then plans to begin demolition and renovation of the old kitchen.

Board members asked how demolition noise would affect students; the contractor said noisy demolition will be scheduled around students and that there is a five-day work window early in the demolition schedule to concentrate the loudest work when students are not present. District staff said principals and construction teams have coordinated testing and classroom calendars to limit disruption.

The contractors also walked the board through design renderings and photos of work in progress: entry canopies, metal panels and glass at the high school two-story entry, sightlines from the weight room to the athletic field, and construction photos showing roof units and interior framing. For Fulton Elementary, the contractor showed images of the new dining space, stage and acoustic panels and said remaining punch-list items and equipment hookups were being completed.

The board did not take a formal vote on the construction presentations; the update was informational. Board members said they appreciated the focus on minimizing student disruption and welcomed the projected near-term availability of the Fulton cafeteria and kitchen.