Midland ISD bond program on track as construction mobilizes for new high schools

Midland ISD bond program staff reported on Sept. 16 that roughly 93% of the district’s $1.4 billion bond program is currently active in design or construction. The district said Lone Star Trail Elementary opened on schedule and that contractors have mobilized on both new high school sites.

"We currently have 93% of the $1,400,000,000 bond actually in action through different construction packages," the bond presenter told the board, and noted the district is continuing daily coordination with contractors to complete punch‑list items at the new elementary campus.

What the board was told: The district has received full building permits on both high school sites and expects some vertical construction before year‑end. The administration said it previously approved a first GMP of about $580 million for the two campuses and anticipates bringing a second GMP in the $200 million to $240 million range at an upcoming meeting. Off‑site utility work tied to developer agreements will be bid next month.

Smaller packages and timelines: Bond package 3 (eight elementary schools) and middle school packages have work in design and planned construction phases; smaller packages, including multipurpose buildings for Alamo and Abel and sprinkler upgrades at several campuses, are scheduled across the coming months. Some projects (e.g., marquees) were paused while the district establishes a standard design.

Risk and oversight: Bond staff told trustees they are coordinating with contractors to manage market volatility and using GMPs to place cost risk on construction managers. Trustees asked for continued transparency on schedule and costs; administration said it will bring additional GMP details and related contractor packages to future meetings.

Ending: The board received the bond update and indicated support for ongoing oversight; administration said it will present another GMP and developer agreement items at the next meeting.