Duncanville ISD approves multi‑site track replacements, HVAC purchases and major renovations; board caps track project at $2.2 million

Duncanville Independent School District trustees voted unanimously to approve several facilities projects on the district agenda, including a multi‑site replacement of athletic tracks, purchase of high‑school HVAC units, a roofing consultant agreement and a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) for a large renovation at Duncanville High School.

The most immediate action approved was a districtwide track replacement project covering Byrd, Kenimer and Reed middle schools and Panther Stadium. Mahdi Zamora, who presented the item, told trustees the tracks “are not in compliance with UIL and NFHS standards” and described recurring safety and event cancellations caused by cracked surfaces and water retention. Zamora said the district’s records show middle school tracks had not been resurfaced in more than 25 years and the high‑school surface was last resurfaced about 15 years ago.

Trustees approved awarding the multi‑site track project to Hellas Construction and amended the motion to add a dollar cap. The board recorded an amendment to cap the project at $2,200,000, to include contingency funds. Zamora said the administration recommends replacement now because doing the work as a group lowers costs and reduces injury risk; the presentation listed a projected life span of the new surfacing at 10–12 years with an 8‑year warranty. Zamora said the funding source would be the district’s general operating fund and that the work would begin on middle‑school sites immediately, with the high‑school surface scheduled after the last home football game in mid‑November. The item passed 4–0.

On other action items, the board approved three bond‑funded projects by unanimous vote: purchase of 78 HVAC units and energy‑management controls for Buildings H, N, O and Q at Duncanville High School from Trane Technologies at a cost of $2,242,522; a $150,000 roofing consultant agreement with Armco Industries to support DHS roof replacements; and a GMP of $11,925,727 for the renovation of Area J at Duncanville High School, to be managed by the construction manager at risk identified in the board packet. Zamora said HVAC replacements will align with roof work and that Trane units match much of the district’s existing equipment to ease maintenance. The roofing consultant fee and HVAC work were noted as bond‑funded; the Area J GMP was presented as the construction‑phase price to allow work to proceed once spaces are vacated.

Trustees asked for and received a commitment to develop a strategic replacement schedule to avoid similar deferred maintenance in the future. Trustee Fahey also requested a not‑to‑exceed amount for the track package; the board amended and approved the motion to include the $2.2 million cap to cover the recommended vendor and contingency.

The board packet cites vendor selection based on pricing, warranty and prior district experience. The agenda materials recommended Hellas Construction for tracks based on prior partnerships and applied discounts.