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New Caney ISD board approves architects, construction contracts, bond authorization and drainage easement
Summary
The New Caney ISD Board of Trustees approved multiple architect selections and construction contracts tied to the 2023 bond program, authorized staff to pursue bond refunding if market savings materialize, and granted a drainage easement to KB Home Lone Star Inc.; one trustee abstained on the easement vote.
The New Caney Independent School District Board of Trustees on Oct. 21 approved a package of architect selections and construction contracts tied to its 2023 bond program, authorized district staff to pursue refunding bonds if market conditions yield taxpayer savings, and granted a drainage easement to KB Home Lone Star Inc.
Superintendent Calvert presented the items after the board resumed open session at about 7:17 p.m. The board voted to award a design agreement to Huckabee Architects to combine funds for a new transportation and operations building — consolidating warehouse, bus wash and shop functions — which staff said will save costs by packaging work under a single design and construction process. “When you put two pots of money together for the same building, you’re naturally gonna save some money,” a district presenter said.
Separately, the board selected DLR Architects to renovate the current operations building into an alternative education campus called the Learning Center, convert the district warehouse into classrooms, and complete roof and secure-vestibule work at White Oak and Pine Valley Middle School. The board approved the selection after staff said packaging several projects could attract a larger general contractor and lower costs.
The board also approved a change order for a voter-display-amplifier (VDA) radio system at the New Caney High School field house and CTE building so emergency responders and the district’s police can communicate inside the new facilities. Presenters said the radio system was intended to be part of the original project but was omitted due to a consultant miscommunication; staff characterized the work as a safety and security need.
On construction contracting, the board awarded the McKinney Elementary replacement project (Project 102-2023) to Division 1 Construction LLC. District staff said the lowest responsive bid arrived at under $28 million (about $253 per square foot), below earlier bond-planning estimates, and that the savings could be redirected to other projects later in the bond program.
On district finances, the board authorized administration to pursue refunding bonds in November if market conditions show sufficient savings. Staff said they will work with the district’s financial advisor and the usual bond team to seek opportunities to lower long-term debt costs.
The board also approved granting a drainage easement on district property off Willoughby Road in Montgomery County to KB Home Lone Star Inc. Staff told trustees the easement would allow the developer to install a treatment/water facility on its site and provide capacity the district could tap (for example, to serve a pool). The motion to grant the easement passed with one abstention.
Each of the procurement and contract items was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote; meeting minutes record the motions and the board chair’s declarations that the motions carried.
What’s next: Staff will finalize and execute contracts and return to the board as required for final approvals or reporting. The district indicated the new elementary and operations facilities are tracked on the bond 2023 timeline, with campus openings and project bids staggered through 2025–2026.
