El Campo ISD board approves rough elementary design, authorizes staff to seek bids

The El Campo Independent School District Board of Trustees on Oct. 29 approved a rough schematic design for a new elementary school and authorized the district to move the design forward for pricing and bidding.

District staff and the design team presented elevations, material palettes (Austin stone, brick, metal canopy options), classroom counts, gym capacity and circulation, and a proposed special‑education playground area behind the building. The presentation emphasized that the schematic is not final and that approval would permit the construction manager‑at‑risk (Park Hill and Palacio Construction) to prepare bid documents and cost estimates.

"What you're approving tonight, if you approve it, would be the general overall — here's what we're thinking at this point — go ahead and get prices so we can see if we're within our budget," a presenter explained during the design review.

Board discussion covered masonry choices and maintenance, classroom counts (12 classrooms per grade level capacity modelling to accommodate build factor projections), gym seating (discussed seating capacity calculations), parking and pick‑up patterns, and preserving a tree where possible. Trustees asked that teachers and construction‑facilities committee members remain involved in final decisions; the presenter said a follow‑up meeting is scheduled for Nov. 20 for committee members to review additional material.

Trustee Dubrott moved to approve the rough elementary design and authorize staff to pursue bids; Trustee Ryan seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

The approval allows the district to ask Park Hill and Palacio Construction, its construction manager‑at‑risk, to prepare documents for solicitation of bids and return to the board with pricing and a final design for later approval.