Gunter ISD board approves $295,000 contract for new road connecting Tiger Lane and Kerfoot Drive

The Chair opened the meeting and the board approved a $295,000 bond-funded contract to build a new access road between Tiger Lane and Kerfoot Drive, the board learned. A staff member recommended the action and said the bid represented a substantial savings compared with other offers.

"I will tell you this is more than a 100,000 below 1 bid and it's 35,000 below the 2nd highest bid," the staff member said, arguing the district received competitive pricing and was ready to start once the board approved. Staff said TSP prepared the roadway design and that the project could begin immediately after approval, with excavation and dirt work scheduled to take place before the first week of August and concrete to be poured thereafter.

Staff described the alignment as intentionally routed to avoid athletic facilities, running near the baseball and softball complex and between the discus and shot-put areas to minimize conflicts with student walkways. The project will include a gate that will be opened twice daily on school days to allow traffic in and out and will have button access for emergency vehicles, staff said. During construction the district plans to use a gravel gate behind the agricultural barn for heavy equipment and to install temporary fencing and erosion-control measures to limit vehicle access to practice areas.

Board member Shelley moved to approve the bid; a board member seconded the motion and the Chair called for a voice vote. The motion passed by voice vote. The transcript alternates references to the bidder as "court" and "core office"; the board packet or contract should be consulted to confirm the vendor name and contract details.

Why it matters: The project is bond-funded and intended to ease traffic at peak times and improve emergency access to athletic and activity facilities. The district said it will continue coordination with TxDOT and the city on traffic controls and related safety measures.