ECISD board approves Bond 2023 purchases and hears multi-site construction update

Board President Tammy Hawkins called the Nov. 18 meeting to order and the Board of Trustees approved 27 Bond 2023 purchase items over $50,000 after a presentation on project status and spending.

Associate Superintendent of District Operations Dr. Anthony Sorola and Chief Financial Officer Albessa Chavez reviewed work across Bond 2023 projects. Key updates included active site excavation and foundation placement at the Career & Technical Education Center; ongoing mechanical, electrical and plumbing work at the new Adela & Gilbert Vasquez Middle School; demolition and a recent groundbreaking at the Transition Learning Center; foundation and MEP progress at the Permian High School auditorium; completed footing and off-site fabrication for the Permian JROTC facility; and demolition and fence installation for the Agricultural Farm Facility, with a groundbreaking scheduled for Nov. 20. The transportation program is in the design phase for a new facility and the district reported 18 buses ordered with 17 delivered: three lift buses for wheelchairs, two 48‑passenger special‑needs buses, two activity buses and ten 71‑passenger standard buses.

Albessa Chavez provided the Bond 2023 financial snapshot: 22% spent ($89.3 million), 45% encumbered ($189.6 million) and 33% remaining ($145.1 million). Trustee Dr. Steve Brown moved to approve the list of purchases, Trustee Wayne Woodall seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved.

The board also appointed Renee Earls and John Landgraf to the Naming Committee for the new Career & Technical Education facility and delegated authority to the superintendent to negotiate and execute individual job orders under approved job order contracts for Priority 1 & 2 Bond work, with scope changes allowed within an owner contingency not to exceed 10% of an estimated cost. Those governance items passed without recorded opposition.