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Board told North Del Valley High School opening could be delayed if developer doesn’t build three roads
Summary
District staff told trustees permanent occupancy of the new North Del Valley High School depends on three developer-built roads; the developer’s funding proposal was rejected by the City of Austin, leaving a multi-million-dollar gap and a likely delay to 2028 if funding isn’t secured.
Mark Willoughby, the district project lead, told the Del Valle ISD Board that the new North Del Valley High School (High School No. 2) is roughly 75% complete but cannot receive a certificate of occupancy until three developer-built roads are installed and approved by jurisdictional authorities.
“Without those roads, we only have one temporary drive to the building … it does not provide access around the entire campus,” Willoughby said, adding that the district needs county and fire-department sign-offs to occupy the facility. He told trustees the developer’s funding proposal for the roads was rejected by the City of Austin and that the developer is in discussions with Travis County to secure a funding path.
Trustees pressed whether the district could self-fund the roads. Willoughby estimated the road and associated infrastructure would cost in the range of $12 million to $14 million, and said furnishing the 400,000-square-foot building could add roughly $10 million to $14 million. “When you combine those two numbers, it’s a very large number and to consider self-performing that work would put us in financial risk as a district,” he said.
Board members asked about timing. Willoughby said the construction window for the roads is roughly six to ten months in an optimal schedule, and permitting and certificates of occupancy would push the total timeline beyond a year. If Whisper Valley (the developer) does not secure funding immediately, staff said the district would likely need to push the opening to 2028 and explore legal remedies to seek reimbursement or damages for the developer’s default.
Superintendent Dr. Gutierrez and project staff committed to regular updates: Willoughby said he is speaking with Whisper Valley representatives at least monthly and would bring progress reports to the board. Trustees also discussed contingencies including possible bonds, seeking county assistance, and the district’s legal options if the developer cannot perform.
Next steps: staff will continue monthly updates, work with legal counsel on potential remedies if needed, and develop construction-backward timelines tied to any updated funding commitments from the developer or county.
