RISD board approves GMP amendments for six middle‑school transformation projects

The Richardson ISD Board of Trustees approved guaranteed maximum price (GMP) amendments covering major construction phases for six middle‑school projects under the district’s 2025 bond. Facilities staff presented exterior and interior renderings, phasing maps and a construction timeline; the board voted to approve GMPs for Apollo, Liberty, Park Hill, Richardson North, Westwood and Richardson West, with recorded approvals reported as unanimous (votes recorded 7‑0 in the transcript).

Facilities presenter Lee Estes described the programmatic and safety features of the designs and reported the projects are tracking under budget. "I am happy to report that we are all under budget, for our 6 bridal school transformations," Estes said during the presentation. Trustees asked about phasing and temporary parking and were told campuses will remain fully operational during construction and that the district will phase work to minimize disruption. The Apollo motion (GMP amendment No. 2 covering foundation, demolition, structural steel, site utilities and early elevator procurement) was moved, seconded and approved; similar motions for the other five schools were approved in sequence.

The board and staff emphasized student and staff safety during construction and that savings from GMP contracts would return to the district. Several trustees praised the magnitude of the work and community support; one trustee compared the concurrent construction scale to a large stadium project to underline the scope. Staff said updated renderings, phasing details and community meeting materials will be posted to the district bond website as work proceeds.