Wimberley ISD board hears schematic estimate for 2025 bond; slight cost variance reported

The Wimberley Independent School District Board of Trustees reviewed the schematic design estimate for the district's 2025 bond program on Oct. 27, 2025. Presenters from AG|CM and O'Connell Robertson said the first detailed cost review for Bid Packages 2 and 3 — which include Wimberley High School, Danforth Junior High, Texan Stadium and a Multipurpose Educational Activity Center — produced a projected cost of $86,049,185 compared with an original budget of $85,178,400, a variance of $870,785.

Board members and construction consultants outlined work completed to date: surveying and geotechnical borings at all sites, replatting underway, and Bartlett Cocke confirmed as Construction Manager at Risk for Bid Packages 2 and 3. Presenters also reported bond expenditures to date of $1,794,587 of the $135 million authorization and listed major contracted services (surveying, architecture, engineering and asbestos testing). The team said the next phase is Design Development, with a Guaranteed Maximum Price anticipated between November 2025 and March 2026 and major construction phases projected between Spring 2026 and Spring 2028.

Why it matters: the schematic estimate is the first detailed cost checkpoint for large projects in the bond package and will inform upcoming board decisions about delivery methods and individual contracts. The district indicated the variance will be refined in Design Development and that user-group feedback remains part of the process.

Presenters noted the design phase involved more than 30 user, client and planning meetings and on-site investigations to gather stakeholder input. The Board did not take a separate vote on the schematic estimate itself but moved forward later in the meeting on related procurement and contract approvals tied to the bond program.