FBISD staff was able to reduce the $103.5 million shortfall reported in the March board meeting by continuing to work with contractors on project details and getting additional input from vendors to gain more accurate cost projections, FBISD Director of Design and Construction Daniel Bankhead said at the April 8 board of trustees meeting.
“The biggest change we saw was in the renovation packages,” Bankhead said. “We're getting more estimates, and the bidding market is starting to look a little better for us.”
What’s being done
Bankhead said FBISD administration has been able to get greater access to information from Jacobs Engineering, the bond project planning contractor, and greater access to details revealed opportunities to reduce costs after further assessment.
District officials announced in February that FBISD faced a projected $132.5 million shortfall in funds for projects outlined in its $1.11 billion bond package due to internal miscommunication during the district’s winter break in December.
The March board update showed district staff decreased the shortfall projection to $103.5 million.
Chief Operating Officer Damian Viltz said cost savings and overruns can still occur as the district continues to work through the projects in greater detail.
As evidence, Viltz also said further assessment of the bond revealed the initial shortfall was actually $163.2 million—about $30 million higher than originally reported in February.
What else?
The board of trustees voted unanimously March 4 to hire Gibson Consulting to audit the 2023 bond program.
In his April 8 update to the board, trustee Rick Garcia said Gibson Consulting has provided a full scope for the projects audit, or an outline of what needs to be audited.
The audit committee will now meet and discuss the new audit cycle for the district, Garcia said.
What’s next?
District officials will continue to update the board on the bond monthly. Additionally, district staff expect to fill 11 positions in the design and construction department by the end of May, which will enable the district to move forward with the bond projects in the summer while students are on break.
