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Gatesville ISD board approves $1.65M design retainer, moves ahead on May bond planning
Summary
The Gatesville ISD Board approved a $1,650,000 allocation (7.5% of the district $22M construction estimate) and initial contract language with architect Huckabee to begin design work ahead of a proposed May bond election capped at $26 million; board members were urged that early design could limit inflation-driven cost increases.
The Gatesville ISD Board of Trustees voted to allocate $1,650,000 to architect Huckabee to begin design work and to authorize an initial contract draft, a step leaders said will let the district accelerate work and limit construction escalation if voters approve a bond in May.
Board members were told the district will keep the bond package at or below $26 million so the tax rate would not increase; the presentation from Huckabee said the program being planned assumes roughly $22 million in total construction costs, with the $1.65 million equal to 7.5% of that figure. Mike Boyle, identified in the presentation as Huckabee lead architect, said starting design while conducting community engagement allows projects to be bid-ready sooner and can reduce the impact of rising material and labor costs.
Why it matters: the vote moves the district from planning to paid preconstruction services, which the architects and the district said could make projects shovel-ready sooner if voters approve the bond. Trustees were also presented options that could be funded from the district fund balance instead of the bond, including synthetic turf and expanded auditorium work.
Huckabee presenters outlined a phased design process that would move from predesign and schematic design through construction documents; the construction-delivery method the board previously approved is construction manager at risk (CMAR), which the presenter said allows an early contractor to provide cost and constructability input during design. Boyle said that collaboration helps expose renovation surprises earlier and supports competitive subcontractor bids.
The presentation listed proposed projects that would fit within the district $22 million construction estimate: junior high renovations (cafeteria expansion, library, restrooms), band/choir/theater improvements, additional classrooms and parking, improvements to the auditorium, and athletic work including a new field house, a press box and additional stadium seating. A resurfaced running track (presented as costing just over $300,000) was added to the scope.
The presentation separated a set of "wish list" items that are not included in the baseline construction budget: full synthetic turf at baseball and softball (presenters estimated roughly $1 million each if done in full), and a full junior-high auditorium renovation (also presented as about $1 million if done comprehensively). Presenters said the turf options could be pared back (for example, infield only) and that final scope will be the board's decision when the ballot is set.
District financial staff reviewed the fund-balance picture for trustees. Leanne (staff member) said the district's "gray area" fund balance is about $15.8 million, with roughly $12.7 million unassigned and a recommended three months of cash on hand of about $9 million. "We have room to work," Leanne said, while cautioning trustees that the district must keep reserves for cash-flow and unexpected costs.
At the meeting the board voted to: (1) approve payment up to $1,650,000 to Huckabee to begin design and preconstruction services, and (2) authorize signing the initial draft contract language with Huckabee subject to counsel review. The motion was moved by Mary Anne and seconded by Calvin; trustees voted to approve the recommendations.
Trustees discussed next steps: board members asked staff to continue vetting what items should go on the May ballot and whether to shift some items from the bond package into fund balance to improve voter acceptance. Huckabee and district staff said they will continue community engagement and return with refined cost estimates and a recommended ballot proposition structure.
Trustees were reminded that state requirements related to stadium seating could force a separate ballot proposition if the press-box/seat-count change crosses a statutory threshold. Presenters recommended the board take a month to gather community feedback and return with a narrower recommended ballot.
The board approved the retainer and contract authorization at the meeting; presentation slides and the contract draft will be available to the board and public as the planning continues.
