Bond projects show progress; VIDOR ISD trustees approve fiber relocation from contingency funds

The VIDOR ISD bond-construction update at the Oct. 13 board meeting showed recent milestones and identified a required fiber relocation tied to an elementary-school addition.

Mr. Bennett reported roughly $4.5 million in recent costs concentrated at Oak Forest Elementary and Vidor Middle School and said steel erection has begun on the middle-school 300 wing while slab work and preparatory activity are underway at other sites. At Vater Elementary (noted in the presentation as Vidor/Vater in the transcript), site work uncovered unexpectedly soft subgrade soil; the team plans to stabilize the subgrade with an 8-inch cement slurry, compacted to specification, to support a new parking area and King Lane. Bennett said those remedial measures are expected to be funded from the owner contingency and that Phase 1 should complete before staff return from Christmas break.

Bennett also briefed trustees on the renovation of the older high-school gym (described as 'old gym' or 'new old gym' in the meeting), which will include interior demolition, updated mechanical systems and two basketball courts separated by a dividing curtain; construction is anticipated to begin in December pending final plans and bidding.

The board voted to approve a recommended fiber relocation at Vidor Elementary, with staff stating the expense will come out of the bond-owner contingency fund because burying and rerouting the line was determined to be more economical than a new drop. Trustee David Camp moved approval and the motion passed unanimously.

Bennett told the board he will return in November with updated bids and a timeline for the high-school additions and other milestones.