Waxahachie ISD reports bond progress: Wyoming STEAM opens, Hancock and junior-high projects move forward

District construction staff updated the Waxahachie ISD Board of Trustees on progress under the 2023 bond and asked the board to approve a remaining guaranteed maximum price (GMP) for the new high school.

Project status and budget

Construction director Ryan Mott reported that Wyoming STEAM Academy had a grand opening and came in under the construction guaranteed maximum price by $3,343,951.14. He said BTC (the construction manager) had completed the contractor punch list and that warranty follow-up would be managed through regular district processes.

Mott said the Hancock Building renovation is about 70% complete and showing approximately $650,000 in current savings; work there is focused on a storm shelter and conversion of an old agriculture shop into locker/weight-room space. He said the Hancock storm shelter and related spaces were being sheet‑rocked and readied for power activation once painting and finish work allow safe access.

Howard and Findlay junior-high projects were listed at about 25% complete; Findlay requires replacement of a transformer and other demolition and interior work. Mott said the projects are on schedule for August completion and that many interior renovations will happen over the summer to avoid disruption while school is in session.

Prop C progress and next steps

Mott told trustees that, by the end of summer, roughly 75% of the originally identified bond items will be complete and that the district is using identified savings to address additional facility needs beyond the original scope. He noted a districtwide list of several hundred facility items; about 206 specific tasks were planned for the coming summer, including full bathroom remodels, floor replacement, locker-room work, exterior painting and some cafeteria upgrades.

Mott also described reuse of an older district building (the former brick building near the Wallen campus) that had been slated for demolition under the bond; instead, the district will rehabilitate it as a shop/lab space for the Global campus, adding a roll-up door and new HVAC, roofing and finishes.

New high school GMP and local participation

District project manager Gordon Collins presented the board the fourth and final GMP for the Waxahachie Creek High School project (the remaining scope of work). GMP 4 covers the rest of the building not previously bid. Collins said the bid process drew wide local and regional interest — more than 300 trade responses across GMPs — and the GMP 4 packages came in competitive enough that the district established a contingency/allowance and remains under the project budget.

Board action

Trustees approved acceptance of the completed Wyoming STEAM (Wollman/Wyoming) project and authorized the release of retainage consistent with board policy. They also approved the remaining GMP for Waxahachie Creek High School at $229,146,852; the vote carried with one board member abstaining because of a potential conflict of interest related to neighboring property ownership.

Why it matters

The bond program funds priority facility needs across the district and opens a new STEAM campus while advancing the district’s long-term plan for a second comprehensive high school. Construction schedule adherence and under‑GMP outcomes to date were cited by staff as reasons the district could extend work into additional prioritized facility repairs.

Ending

Staff asked trustees to continue approving routine change orders and contract awards on the consent agenda; the district will proceed with the high school permit, site work and GMP 4 contracting so major building work can progress this spring and summer.