Construction will soon begin on the first of two phases in a project renovating and modernizing Hutto High School.

At an Oct. 27 board meeting, HISD trustees approved a $2.72 million guaranteed maximum price agreement with Chaney Cox Construction Inc. for construction on the first phase.

Phase 1 will involve replacing the school's fire alarms, clocks, bells and PA system.

Mark Willoughby, the district's director of facilities planning and capital improvements, said Phase 1 will pave the way for more substantial improvements in Phase 2, such as band hall upgrades and additional parking.

Work on Phase 1 will begin before the end of the year and take approximately 13 months to complete with a target completion date of December 2023. Funding for the modernization project comes from a 2019 bond.