Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Construction topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Robinson High expansion estimate rises if second and third floors are finished; board discusses capacity and parking
Summary
District staff reported projected costs to finish Robinson High School’s second and third floors, and board members discussed student capacity, storm‑shelter sizing, parking and the schedule for completion of other projects at Mills High and College Station.
District construction staff reported design‑stage cost estimates Jan. 14 for completing additional work at Robinson High School and updated timelines for other active projects.
What staff reported: The base project — band building (which doubles as a storm shelter), classroom work and site improvements — was previously budgeted at roughly $19.5 million (construction) plus related allowances. Completing the previously shelled second and third floors in full would add an estimated $24,834,637 to the overall cost, the district’s construction manager said; that figure is a design‑phase estimate and not a final bid.
Key cost breakdowns and notes from staff: - The earlier portion of the Robinson project (band room/tornado shelter and first‑floor classrooms) was estimated around $21 million when architects and contingency and fees are included; FF&E (furniture, fixtures and equipment) was estimated roughly an additional $1 million. - To finish the second floor is an additional estimate of about $2.1 million; finishing the third floor is roughly $1.9 million; adding an elevator was estimated about $100,000. Removing a courtyard canopy could save about $290,000. - The total ‘complete‑out’ figure discussed during the meeting was approximately $24.8 million (design estimate) beyond the base contract. Staff emphasized these are pre‑bid estimates that could change.
Capacity and shelter considerations: Completing the first floor as currently planned will add some classroom capacity but not enough to absorb the campus over‑enrollment. Staff estimated the completed first floor would add roughly 134 student seats; current high‑school enrollment was reported at about 938–980 depending on the rolls (transcript references 980 and 938 with/without certain programs). The existing building’s state calculator capacity is about 650 students by state standards, which explains the need for additional permanent classroom space.
Storm shelter sizing: The new band building/storm shelter was sized for about 1,000 students; increasing to accommodate 1,200 students would add about $1 million to the shelter cost. Staff noted the district also has a middle‑school shelter and other options that factor into operational plans.
Other project updates: At Mills High School the classroom addition was on track for turnover by July 31, 2025, and the arena completion was scheduled for Aug. 31, 2025. A new softball field was expected for turnover around Feb. 1, 2025. College Station architect design work had moved to bid documents; district staff said insurance and bid outcomes would determine next steps for rebuilding.
Why it matters: Robinson is over capacity; the board must weigh whether to spend now to finish upper floors or stage completion later. Staff and contractor said phased completion later would typically cost more because of remobilization and inflation risk; completing floors at once is usually less expensive than returning later.
Board questions and next steps: Board members asked for clearer final estimates and confirmation of what the district could afford given other commitments. Staff and contractor said they would provide updated, bid‑ready numbers and a clearer estimate of cost impact if work were paused and resumed later.
Ending: Cost figures are estimates and will be refined as design and bidding progress. Any decision to expand the Robinson contract to finish the second and third floors will be presented to the board for a formal vote.
