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Trustees press for transparency on CMAR procurement, cap‑and‑gown quantities and playground pricing

Laredo ISD Board — Business and Support Services Committee · December 12, 2025

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Summary

Board staff presented multiple procurement items including graduation items, playground equipment (quote increased to ~$200,000) and a CMAR procurement method for a JROTC building. Trustees asked about bid posting, market pricing, and whether a third‑party project manager should review large projects.

Administration reviewed a set of procurement and bid items slated for the regular board agenda: graduation items (cap and gown RFP), environmental consultant RFQ, and procurement method approval to use construction manager‑at‑risk (CMAR) for the Raymond Thesa Martin JROTC building, among other RFCSPs for canopies, playgrounds, welding and general repair contracts.

Hector Mejia said updated playground quotes had arrived and he requested the playground estimated expenditures be revised from $150,000 to closer to $200,000; that revision will appear on the regular agenda. Trustee Juan Ramirez questioned whether the listed quantities and unit pricing for graduation caps and gowns (an estimated quantity of 500 and a per‑unit figure cited in materials) represent purchases for students who cannot afford them or an overall district purchase. Mejia said students typically purchase caps and gowns themselves and the district buys a limited number for students in need or for special programs such as migrant services.

Trustees raised extended concerns about procurement fairness and accuracy of project budgets when the CMAR method is used. Trustee Velasquez and others asked whether the district ever engages an independent construction manager distinct from the contractor to provide an objective cost estimate. Project staff said the district hires architects who provide budget estimates and that district staff (project managers Velasquez/Rivera) evaluate contractor responses. Administration described CMAR as shifting price‑fluctuation risk to the contractor, and said the district has not historically had systemic change‑order overruns using this method.

Trustees requested clearer market posting and outreach to broaden competition and asked for assurances that scope and budgets are realistic before awarding large projects. Administration agreed to provide more documentation on quotes, estimated quantities and outreach processes when items come to the regular board for approval.