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Humble ISD approves $2.17 million amendment to add underground detention at Foster Elementary
Summary
The Humble ISD board approved a guaranteed maximum price amendment of $2,172,046 to add underground stormwater detention to the Foster Elementary replacement project, after months of community requests to preserve green space. The vote was 7-0.
The Humble Independent School District Board of Trustees on Wednesday approved a guaranteed maximum price amendment of $2,172,046 to add underground detention for the Foster Elementary School replacement project.
District presenter Dr. Jason Seibert said the contractor and architects refined designs and pricing and arrived at the $2,172,046 figure for the underground detention portion. “The current design is about $2,172,046 to add underground detention to both underground detention areas that we are originally going to be open detention,” Seibert said during the presentation.
The board voted to accept the guaranteed maximum price amendment; the motion passed 7-0. The contract amendment will allow district staff and the contractor to submit permit applications and order long‑lead materials. Seibert said material lead times are about 35 days and installation is projected at eight to 12 weeks once permits are issued, and that permitting timelines with City of Houston officials will determine whether the project still meets the targeted fall 2026 opening.
Why it matters: Parents and neighbors had urged the district to preserve open play and green space at the new Foster campus. Earlier community discussion centered on trade-offs between surface, open detention ponds and buried detention that would preserve active turf and play areas. Board members and staff said buried detention would allow the playground to be moved adjacent to the field and retain more parking (about 124 spaces in the current plan), addressing community concerns about event parking and usable green space.
What the board heard: The board and staff cited community survey results and meetings in which attendees favored underground detention even if it risked schedule changes. In board discussion, members praised district construction staff and the contractor for reducing initial cost estimates and generating a workable design that reflects the community’s input.
Next steps: If the board amendment is implemented as presented, the contractor will submit permit applications to the City of Houston and order materials. District staff said they will work with the contractor to track permitting and material timelines and report back on any change to the anticipated 2026 occupancy.
Ending note: Board members said the design change reflects lessons learned building smaller-footprint elementary schools and the district’s effort to balance budget, schedule, and community requests.
