Taylor ISD bond update: punch lists near completion, consultants propose job-order contract for small projects; advisory committee backs high-school fine arts,

Taylor ISD staff updated trustees on bond program progress on June 23, reporting that major construction punch lists are nearing completion at the high school CTE wing and other campuses, that landscaping and paving work is on a summer schedule and that staff plan to use a job‑order contract procurement to speed smaller post‑bond projects.

Facilities staff said most projects are down to short punch lists and that paving at some sites is scheduled for July, weather permitting. The presentation showed landscaping and irrigation underway at Taylor Middle School and said district maintenance work is completing smaller remaining items. Staff noted the district has been maintaining a “priority list” of smaller projects that emerged during bond implementation and recommended a job‑order contract (procured through BuyBoard pricing and RS Means cost estimates) to let district staff assign work orders to a prequalified contractor instead of issuing separate small bids for each task. Staff said the board would be asked to authorize district administrators to execute job orders up to a specified aggregate amount; the presentation said that approach will speed summer small‑scope work.

Staff also reported program‑level budget details: an uncommitted balance in the bond program rose to roughly $7.7 million after one anticipated land purchase did not close; staff said that uncommitted balance will allow additional smaller projects and prioritized items to move forward.

Eric Hersheyen presented a Community Advisory Committee recap and recommendation: a bond package focused on campus updates and student spaces (Taylor High School phase 1, Taylor Middle School phase 1), district infrastructure and planning, land acquisition, STEM spaces (pre‑K through 8), upgrades to athletics (including artificial turf for baseball/softball), technology, safety and security, and transportation. For Taylor High School phase 1 the committee recommendation described a multi‑purpose fine arts facility with support spaces and seating “for up to 900.” Trustees discussed auditorium capacity; some trustees asked staff to study options for a larger capacity (trustees mentioned figures above 1,000 seats during discussion).

Trustees asked clarifying questions about detention/retention basins and paving details at Middle School and other sites; staff said needed drainage adjustments will be addressed when paving work occurs. Staff also noted the district’s plan to pursue additional land acquisition to support long‑term growth and that any land work will be prioritized and evaluated before commitments are made.

The board did not vote on bond spending at the meeting; staff said specific contracts and job‑order authorizations would come back for board approval.