Liberty Hill ISD trustees approve band uniforms, several design and construction contracts, call May 3 election and confirm personnel actions

The Liberty Hill ISD Board of Trustees voted Jan. 22 to approve a set of purchases, construction agreements and personnel items, including a purchase of marching band uniforms, professional services agreements, a guaranteed maximum price for a new elementary campus and the order to hold a May 3, 2025 trustee election.

Key board actions and motions

- Marching band uniforms: The board approved the purchase of 50 marching uniforms from Fred J. Miller Inc. for Liberty Hill High School in the amount of $103,060.75, to be funded from the fine arts general fund. The fine-arts director, Mr. Chica Portillo, said the current uniforms are failing and parents were repairing them weekly. (Motion by Miss Major; second Mr. Neighbors; outcome: approved.)

- Civil engineering services: Trustees approved a civil engineering and permitting services agreement with Langan Engineering for the Liberty Hill High School wastewater lift station in the amount of $44,000, to be funded from the 2023 bond program. The proposal covers design, construction documents, permitting (including TCEQ permitting), bidding assistance and construction-phase support. (Motion by Mr. Neighbors; second Miss Major; outcome: approved.)

- Design services for operations and maintenance facility: The board approved hiring VLK Architects for architectural and related design services for the district’s operations and maintenance facility renovation. The professional-fee arrangement is an estimated 8% of the total cost of work, with an estimated design fee of $160,000; funding will come from the 2021 bond program. The board authorized the superintendent to finalize contract terms. (Motion by Miss Hargrove; second Mr. Neighbors; outcome: approved.)

- Guaranteed maximum price (GMP) No. 2 for Elementary No. 8: The board awarded GMP No. 2 to American Constructors in the amount of $38,019,507 for work including concrete, masonry, structural steel framing, carpentry, finishes, mechanical and utilities for Elementary No. 8. The previously approved GMP No. 1 totaled $5,875,493, giving a combined project total shown as $43,895,000. District staff stated the project remains within the original construction budget of $45 million and noted the campus capacity was increased from 800 to 1,000 students since the bond was designed. (Motion by Miss Major; second Mr. Neighbors; outcome: approved.)

- Order to call election: The board approved the official order to call a trustee election on Saturday, May 3, 2025, to fill Board places 6 and 7 for three-year terms. Board officers were directed to sign the notice and related documents. (Motion by Mr. Neighbors; second Miss Major; outcome: approved.)

- Consent agenda and routine reports: Trustees approved the consent agenda, which included the tax collection summary, investment report, financial summary, budget amendments, bond status, purchases over $50,000 (including payment to SFE Food Service), the enrollment report and monthly police reports. (Motion by Miss Hargrove; second Mr. Neighbors; outcome: approved.)

- Personnel actions: The board approved listed resignations, new employee hires as presented and appointed Amanda Langseth as assistant principal for Santa Rita Middle School. (Resignations motion by Miss Major; hires motion by Mr. Neighbors; assistant-principal appointment motion by Miss Major, second Mr. Nabors; outcomes: approved.)

Several motions were recorded by voice; roll-call vote tallies were not included in the public transcript. Where available, minutes show the motion maker and seconder; all motions were announced as approved.

What trustees said and next steps

Board members thanked staff and contractors for competitive pricing on construction items and asked staff to provide schematic design comparisons in future presentations for the operations facility. The board also directed the superintendent to negotiate final contract terms where contracts were approved subject to final negotiation.

All approved contracts and purchases will be funded as stated in the motions from bond proceeds or district operating funds. The board also scheduled additional work sessions on the calendar topic and plans to reconvene for budget- and legislative-related discussions.