Alvin ISD bond update: security vestibules installed, new campuses move toward construction

Alvin Independent School District staff updated the board on summer capital work, security upgrades and the schedule for projects funded by the 2024 bond package passed last November.

Deputy Superintendent Mr. Gesch briefed trustees on maintenance-and-operations projects completed over the summer and on the bond program’s construction schedule. He said the district completed about $2.2 million in maintenance projects this summer and had roughly another $2.2 million in progress, for approximately $4.5 million of work between June and the fall semester. Summer projects included resurfacing tennis courts, a new competition football turf at Memorial Stadium, replacement work on band towers and flooring upgrades at several campuses.

The construction services team described security-vestibule work that converted front offices to a “generation 2” design (transaction windows, ballistic-rated glass and buzzer-secured doors) at multiple campuses. The district completed vestibule work at RISE, Alvin Junior High, Sanchez, Merrick, Jeter, Hoodcase and Passmore campuses and is designing Phase 2 vestibules for a group of elementary campuses for next summer, with Phase 3 targeted for summer 2027 and then junior-high and some high-school work thereafter.

Bond program specifics and timelines presented at the meeting: - 2024 bond authorization: just over $380,000,000 (passed November 2024). - Elementary 23 (Cantera Creek, Iowa Colony): bids to be received next month; construction to follow after board award. - Alvin High School: Stewart Builders selected as construction manager at risk; PBK is the design firm. District staff said they plan to seek a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) in March (year-to-be-specified in the project schedule) and target a phased replacement of the Luke Kennedy Building with an August move-in for phase 1 in 2028 under the current schedule assumptions. - Mustang Road replacement campus (to replace Disney and Stevenson campuses): Arcadis is the design firm; site demolition completed and the district displayed a timeline that shows construction starting in 2026 on the current projection and an opening targeted for August 2028. - Manvel High School: staff are planning a two-phase approach and will solicit design proposals; tentative move-in dates discussed for late 2029–2030 depending on phase sequencing.

Staff gave several granular cost and project details in response to trustee questions: a recently replaced band tower was reported at $105,000; the district has roughly 160 chillers across campuses and estimated replacement cost for a typical chiller at about $500,000, with a roughly 20-year life span per unit. The district also noted warranty work and vendor cooperation that resolved an installation problem on a tower that will be reinstalled without charge.

Trustees asked about naming the Mustang Road replacement campus. Staff recommended conducting a community survey and using a naming committee to gather input because the new campus will replace two existing schools and the community may have attachments to current campus names.

District staff and construction managers described how many security and infrastructure upgrades are embedded in the larger modernization projects for high schools and junior highs, and they said backup generators and access-control improvements are proceeding alongside larger construction efforts.

No bond-authorizing actions were required or taken during the meeting; the presentation was informational and focused on schedules, completed summer work and upcoming procurement steps.